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Finance · Investing

Investment Return Calculator

Measure how well an investment performed with total return, dollar gain, and annualized return (CAGR). Drag the sliders and the numbers update instantly.

$5,000
$8,000
3 yr
Total return (ROI)
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Total gain / loss
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Annualized return (CAGR)
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Time to double at CAGR
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Investment value growing at the annualized rate

How to measure investment return

Flat illustration of an upward zig-zag arrow rising over a coin — representing an investment's return over time.
ROI is the total gain; CAGR turns it into a per-year rate you can compare fairly.

There are two return numbers that matter, and they answer different questions. Total return (ROI) is the simple percentage gain or loss: (final value − amount invested) ÷ amount invested. Annualized return (CAGR) smooths that gain into an equivalent yearly rate, which is the only fair way to compare investments held for different lengths of time.

Why CAGR beats total return for comparison

A 60% total return sounds great, but over what period? If it took ten years, that's only about 4.8% per year — worse than many savings accounts. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) answers "how fast did this actually grow per year?" using CAGR = (final ÷ initial)1/years − 1.

Tip: This calculator measures price return only. For a complete picture, add reinvested dividends to your final value before calculating — that's your total return.

The rule of 72

Divide 72 by your annualized return to estimate how many years it takes to double your money. At a 9.7% CAGR, your investment doubles in roughly 7.4 years — a quick sanity check on any return figure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between ROI and CAGR?
ROI (return on investment) is the total percentage gain over the entire holding period. CAGR (compound annual growth rate) converts that gain into an equivalent yearly rate, making it the right tool for comparing investments held for different lengths of time.
How do I calculate annualized return?
Use CAGR = (final value ÷ initial value)^(1 ÷ years) − 1. It tells you the steady yearly rate that would turn your starting amount into your ending amount over the holding period.
What is a good annual investment return?
The U.S. stock market has averaged roughly 10% per year before inflation over the long run, or about 7% after inflation. Returns well below that, especially after fees, are worth investigating.
Does this include dividends?
This calculator uses the values you enter, so it captures price change only unless you add reinvested dividends into the final value. Including dividends gives you total return rather than price return.
Can investment return be negative?
Yes. If the final value is lower than the amount invested, both ROI and CAGR are negative, reflecting a loss. The calculator will show the negative gain and rate accordingly.

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Written & reviewed by Chase Bennett, President of CalcHeadquarters
Every calculator is built from published formulas and authoritative sources, then independently checked for accuracy before it goes live. Last updated July 2026. Read our editorial policy & methodology.