CAGR Calculator

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is the constant annual rate that would turn a starting value into an ending value over a period if growth were even year after year. It is a popular metric for assessing the growth pace of investments and portfolios. It smooths out fluctuations into one representative annual rate.

CAGR = (ending value / starting value)^(1 / number of years) - 1, expressed as a percentage. First you compute the growth multiple, then raise it to the power of one over the number of years and subtract 1. This captures the compounding effect rather than just simple growth.

Total return is the percentage change over the whole period regardless of its length. CAGR spreads that return into a constant annual rate, allowing comparison of investments of different durations. Doubling in 2 years and in 10 years gives the same total return but a very different CAGR.

The multiple is the ratio of ending value to starting value. It shows how many times the investment grew: 2 means doubling, 3 tripling, and 0.5 a loss of half its value. It is a raw growth measure without spreading it over years, useful as a quick reference alongside CAGR.

Yes. If the ending value is lower than the starting value, the multiple is below 1 and CAGR is negative, describing the average annual rate of decline. A drop from 1000 to 500 over 2 years gives a CAGR of about -29.3% per year. A negative CAGR is a valid result for loss-making investments.

An arithmetic average of annual returns can overstate the outcome because it ignores compounding. If an investment rises 50% and falls 50%, the arithmetic average is 0%, yet you actually lose 25%. CAGR (a geometric mean) always reflects the real growth of capital from start to end.

Just three numbers: the starting value, the ending value and the number of years between them. The number of years can be fractional, such as 2.5 years. The starting value must be positive because we divide by it — the calculator returns an error for zero or negative values.

No. CAGR considers only the starting and ending values, assuming no additional contributions or withdrawals. If there were cash flows during the period, a more accurate measure is the internal rate of return (IRR) or the money-weighted return.

No. CAGR is a smoothed, hypothetical even-growth rate. In reality the value may have risen and fallen sharply along the way. CAGR shows which constant rate would produce the same final result, but says nothing about volatility or the risk of the path taken.

No. The calculator is informational and educational. CAGR reflects historical growth and does not guarantee future results. When making investment decisions consider risk, volatility, costs and taxes, and consult a licensed adviser where appropriate.