Compound Interest Calculator
Understanding Compound Interest
Compound interest is the interest earned on both the initial principal amount and the accumulated interest from previous periods. It's often referred to as "interest on interest," and it's a powerful tool for growing wealth over time. Unlike simple interest, which is calculated only on the principal, compound interest allows your money to grow at an accelerating rate.
How Compound Interest Works
The magic of compound interest lies in its exponential growth. The formula for compound interest is:
A = P (1 + r/n)^(nt)
Where:
Ais the future value of the investment/loan, including interestPis the principal investment amount (the initial deposit or loan amount)ris the annual interest rate (as a decimal)nis the number of times that interest is compounded per yeartis the number of years the money is invested or borrowed for
Key Components of the Calculator:
- Principal Amount: This is the initial sum of money you invest or borrow. A larger principal will lead to greater overall earnings over time.
- Annual Interest Rate: This is the percentage of the principal that you will earn as interest each year. Higher rates lead to faster growth.
- Number of Years: The longer your money is invested and compounding, the more significant the impact of compound interest will be.
- Compounding Frequency: This refers to how often the interest is calculated and added to the principal. Compounding more frequently (e.g., daily or monthly) will result in slightly higher earnings than compounding less frequently (e.g., annually), assuming the same annual interest rate. This is because the interest earned starts earning interest sooner.
Example Calculation:
Let's say you invest $10,000 (Principal) at an annual interest rate of 7% (Annual Rate), compounded monthly, for 20 years (Number of Years).
- Principal (P) = $10,000
- Annual Interest Rate (r) = 7% or 0.07
- Number of Years (t) = 20
- Compounding Frequency (n) = 12 (monthly)
Using the formula:
A = 10000 * (1 + 0.07/12)^(12*20)
This calculation would show the future value of your investment after 20 years, demonstrating how your initial $10,000 has grown significantly due to the power of compounding interest.