FINANCE TOOL
ROI Calculator
Calculate return on investment, in total and annualized terms.
Add this to also see an annualized return — useful for comparing investments held over different lengths of time.
Total ROI
—
Shown when a holding period is entered — assumes a constant annualized rate between the initial and final value (real investments rarely grow smoothly).
About this tool
Enter what you put in and what it's worth now (or when you sold it) to calculate total return on investment. Add the holding period to also see the annualized return — the equivalent steady yearly rate, which makes it possible to fairly compare investments held for different lengths of time.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between total ROI and annualized return?
- Total ROI is the overall percentage gain or loss over the whole holding period, however long that was. Annualized return converts that into an equivalent steady yearly rate, which is what lets you fairly compare a 2-year investment against a 10-year one.
- Does this account for taxes or fees?
- No — this is a simple gross return calculation based on the numbers entered. Taxes, transaction fees, and dividends or additional contributions along the way aren't factored in unless you build them into the initial and final values yourself.
- Can the result be negative?
- Yes — if the final value is less than the initial investment, both ROI and net gain will show as negative, correctly reflecting a loss.