CAGR Calculator

Determine the annual growth rate of an investment over a specific period of time.

Investment Details

Years

Compound Growth Effect

Your returns are $54,041.77 more than simple interest!

CAGR

9.60%

Annual Growth Rate

Total Value

$250,000

After 10 years

Total Gain

+$150,000

150.0% return

Year-by-Year Growth Projection

Yearly Breakdown

YearInvestedValueReturnsGrowth
Year 5$147,979$158,114+$58,11458.1%
Year 6$157,575$173,286+$73,28673.3%
Year 7$167,171$189,914+$89,91489.9%
Year 8$176,767$208,138+$108,138108.1%
Year 9$186,362$228,111+$128,111128.1%
Year 10$195,958$250,000+$150,000150.0%

Understanding CAGR Deeply

What is CAGR?

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is one of the most accurate ways to calculate and determine returns for anything that can rise or fall in value over time. Unlike average returns, CAGR accounts for the fact that returns are compounded over time, providing a “smoothed” annual rate.

The Formula

CAGR = [(Ending Value / Beginning Value)1/n] - 1

*n = number of years

CAGR vs. IRR (Internal Rate of Return)

CAGR

Best for “point-to-point” investments with no intermediate cash flows (like a fixed deposit or a gold bar).

IRR

Best for investments with multiple cash flows (like SIPs, dividends, or rental income). IRR is more complex but more accurate for ongoing investments.

Investment Glossary

Absolute Return

The total non-annualized return on an investment. It tells you exactly how much your money has grown from start to finish, regardless of how long it took.

Total Gain

The total profit in currency units. Calculated as Final Value minus Initial Investment.

Simple Annual Return

Calculated by dividing the total return by the number of years. It fails to account for compounding and usually underestimates the effective growth of an investment.

Compounding Effect

This is the 'magic' of wealth creation. It represents the returns earned on top of previous returns. Over long periods, this usually exceeds the initial investment.

The Rule of 72

Want to know how quickly your money doubles? Divide 72 by your CAGR. For example, at a 12% CAGR, your money doubles in 72 / 12 = 6 years. This is a quick mental trick to visualize the power of compounding.

What is CAGR?

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is the mean annual growth rate of an investment over a specified period of time longer than one year. It represents one of the most accurate ways to calculate and determine returns for anything that can rise or fall in value over time.