Investment Return Calculator
Total and annualized return on an investment — with optional simple yearly contributions.
Inputs
Result
Visual breakdown
Formula
Total return = (end − total contributions) ÷ total contributions × 100. With no contributions, annualized = (end ÷ start)^(1/years) − 1. With contributions, annualized is approximated using average invested capital — it's a simplified estimate, not money-weighted IRR.
Example
$10,000 → $20,000 over 10 years, no contributions → total return 100%, annualized ≈ 7.18%.
Related: Interest · Inflation · Retirement
How to use
- Leave contributions at $0 for a clean CAGR.
- Enter steady yearly contributions for an approximate annualized return.
- Compare against a benchmark (e.g. S&P 500 average) for context.
When it's useful
- Reviewing a single investment's performance.
- Comparing returns across years or accounts.
- Checking whether a strategy is beating inflation.
Common examples
Frequently asked
Is annualized return the same as CAGR?
Yes — with no contributions, this is CAGR. With contributions, it's a simplified estimate using average invested capital.
Does this give an IRR?
Not exactly. True IRR is money-weighted and requires per-contribution dates. This is intentionally simple and transparent.
What if I lost money?
End value below total contributions returns a negative gain and a negative annualized rate.
Should I use real or nominal returns?
Either, as long as you're consistent. Subtract inflation for real returns — see the Inflation calculator.
People also calculate
More money & work →Educational estimate only — not financial advice. Past returns do not guarantee future results.