Investment Return (ROI) Calculator
Did the investment actually pay? Count the years, not just the dollars.
Estimates only — not financial advice. Ignores taxes, fees, and the timing of any interim cash flows.
How to calculate your investment return
- Enter the amount you invested — the cash you put in up front.
- Enter the final value — what the investment is worth (or was sold for) now.
- Enter the holding period in years — fractions allowed (e.g. 2.5).
- Press Calculate. Net profit, total ROI %, and the annualized return appear.
- Compare by annualized return, not raw ROI — that's the only fair way to compare different time spans.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate ROI on an investment?
Subtract what you invested from what you got back to get net profit, then divide by the amount invested and multiply by 100. $1,000 back on $800 invested is ($1,000 - $800) / $800 = 25% ROI.
What's the difference between ROI and annualized return?
ROI is the total return over the whole holding period; annualized return (CAGR) spreads it into a per-year rate. Doubling your money in 2 years is 100% ROI but about 41% annualized; in 10 years it's still 100% ROI but only about 7% annualized.
What is CAGR and how is it computed?
CAGR (compound annual growth rate) is (final value / amount invested)^(1/years) - 1. It's the steady yearly rate that would turn your start into your finish in exactly that many years.
Can ROI be negative?
Yes. If you get back less than you invested, ROI is negative. Losing $200 on a $1,000 investment is -20% ROI.
Why does this show n/a for annualized return sometimes?
Annualized return needs a positive holding period and a final value above $0. With 0 years elapsed (or a total loss), there's no per-year rate to compute, so the calculator shows n/a instead of a misleading number.
Is this financial advice?
No. Planning estimates only.
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