Compound Interest Formula:
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Compound interest is the interest calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest of previous periods. It's often referred to as "interest on interest" and can significantly boost investment growth over time.
The calculator uses the compound interest formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much an investment will grow over time when interest is compounded at regular intervals.
Details: Compound interest is a powerful financial concept that allows investments to grow exponentially over time. It's the foundation of long-term wealth building and retirement planning.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for 5%), number of compounding periods per year, and time in years. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What's the difference between simple and compound interest?
A: Simple interest is calculated only on the principal amount, while compound interest is calculated on both the principal and accumulated interest.
Q2: How does compounding frequency affect returns?
A: More frequent compounding (e.g., monthly vs. annually) results in higher returns due to more frequent application of interest.
Q3: What is the Rule of 72?
A: It's a simple way to estimate how long an investment will take to double: divide 72 by the annual interest rate.
Q4: Are high-interest savings accounts safe?
A: Generally yes, as they're typically offered by FDIC-insured banks, protecting deposits up to $250,000.
Q5: How can I maximize compound interest?
A: Start early, invest regularly, choose accounts with higher interest rates and more frequent compounding, and avoid withdrawing funds.