ROI calculator
Enter what you invested and what you got back, or what it is worth now. The calculator shows the gain, the ROI in percent and, if you enter the number of years, the annualized return so you can compare investments of different lengths.
Runs in your browser: nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How to use it
- Enter how much you invested in total, including fees.
- Enter how much you got back, or what the investment is worth today, including income you received.
- Enter how many years you held it to see the annualized return, or 0 to skip it.
- Gain = returned − invested
- ROI = gain ÷ invested × 100
- Money multiple = returned ÷ invested
- Annualized return (CAGR) = (returned ÷ invested)^(1 ÷ years) − 1
Worked example
You invested 1,000 and three years later it is worth 1,500. The gain is 500 and ROI 50%. The annualized return is 1.5^(1/3) − 1 = 14.47% a year: 1,000 × 1.1447³ ≈ 1,500.
If 2,000 fell to 1,500 in 2 years, ROI is −25% and the annualized return −13.40% a year.
Limits
- ROI ignores when money went in. If you added money at different times, the result is only a rough guide; a money-weighted return (IRR) is more precise.
- Past returns do not predict future ones. The figures describe your numbers, not advice on what to invest in.
Frequently asked questions
How is ROI calculated?
ROI = (amount returned − amount invested) ÷ amount invested × 100. Putting in 1,000 and getting back 1,500 is a 50% ROI.
What is annualized ROI or CAGR?
The yearly rate that would turn the investment into the final amount with compounding. It is (returned ÷ invested)^(1 ÷ years) − 1. A 50% gain over 3 years is 14.47% a year, not 16.67%, because each year builds on the last.
Why annualize at all?
To compare investments held for different times. 50% over 3 years (14.47% a year) is worse than 30% over 1 year, even though 50 is more than 30.
Should I include costs and income?
Yes, for a fair figure. Add dividends or rent received to the amount returned, and add fees, commissions and taxes paid to the amount invested.
Can I use part of a year?
Yes. Enter 0.5 for six months. A short period annualized can look extreme, so treat it with care.