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Investment Return Calculator

Calculate ROI and CAGR from initial investment, final value and time period.

How to Use the Investment Return Calculator

Calculate the total return and annualized growth rate (CAGR) of any investment. Just enter what you invested, what it became, and over how long.

  1. Enter the initial investment — the amount you originally invested (e.g. $10,000).
  2. Enter the final value — the current or ending value of the investment (e.g. $25,000).
  3. Enter the time period — the number of years the investment was held (e.g. 5 years). You can use decimals for partial years.
  4. Review results — see your total ROI percentage, CAGR (annualized return), total gain/loss and average annual gain.

The calculator uses these formulas: ROI = (Final - Initial) / Initial x 100 and CAGR = (Final / Initial)1/n - 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ROI?

ROI (Return on Investment) measures the total percentage gain or loss relative to your initial investment. An ROI of 150% means your investment grew by 1.5 times the original amount.

What is CAGR?

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is the annualized rate of return that smooths out year-to-year volatility. It tells you the steady annual growth rate that would produce the same final value over the given time period.

How is CAGR different from average annual return?

CAGR accounts for compounding and gives the geometric mean return. Average annual return is a simple arithmetic mean. CAGR is more accurate for comparing investments over different time periods because it reflects the actual growth path.

Can I use this for stocks?

Yes. Enter the total amount you invested (including all purchases) as the initial investment, and the current portfolio value as the final value. For individual stock analysis, use the purchase price and current price per share.

What if my investment lost money?

The calculator handles losses. If the final value is less than the initial investment, the ROI and CAGR will be negative, clearly showing the percentage loss.

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