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CAGR calculator

Enter the starting value, ending value and years to get the compound annual growth rate.

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Results update live as you type.

CAGR
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Enter values to calculate.

Total growth
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Years
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Formulas: CAGR = (end / start)^(1/years) - 1. It smooths volatile yearly returns into one steady rate.
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Why CAGR beats simple averages

Averaging yearly returns misleads: +50% then -50% averages to 0% but leaves you at 75% of start. CAGR gives the single steady rate that truly connects start to end, so investments with different volatility compare fairly.

CAGR limits

CAGR hides the ride: two investments with the same CAGR can have wildly different drawdowns. It also ignores cash added or withdrawn mid-period; for that you need IRR or time-weighted returns.

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CAGR Calculator FAQs

How do you calculate CAGR?
Divide end value by start value, raise to the power of 1/years, subtract 1. $10,000 to $20,000 over 5 years = (2)^(0.2) - 1 = 14.87% CAGR.
What is the difference between CAGR and total growth?
Total growth here is 100% ($10k to $20k). CAGR annualizes it: the steady yearly rate producing the same result, 14.87% compounded for 5 years.
Can CAGR be negative?
Yes, when the ending value is below the start. A -5% CAGR means the investment shrank at a steady 5% yearly pace.
Is CAGR the same as annualized return?
Effectively yes: both describe the geometric average yearly growth. Fund factsheets quote CAGR as annualized return.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. Every calculation happens in your browser with JavaScript. Nothing you enter leaves your device.
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