Compare investments fairly
Return on investment tells you how much you gained relative to what you put in. Enter the amount invested and what you got back, plus any fees, commissions or extra costs, to see the ROI, net profit and money multiple.
Add the holding period to get the annualized return (CAGR) — the fair way to compare a 50% gain over five years with a 30% gain over two. Use it for stocks, rental property, a small business or a marketing campaign.
How to calculate ROI
- 1
Enter the amount invested
Your initial outlay.
- 2
Enter the final value
What you received, or what it's worth now.
- 3
Add extra costs
Fees, taxes, commissions or running costs.
- 4
Add the time held
For the annualized return.
Key features
ROI and net profit
Instant results.
Annualized return (CAGR)
Compare different time periods.
Costs included
More honest than a headline return.
Money multiple
How many times your money grew.
Common uses
- Stocks and real estate: Evaluate past investments.
- Marketing campaigns: Compare revenue with ad spend.
- Business projects: Justify equipment or software purchases.
Tips and good to know
- ROI ignores when money went in and out. For regular contributions, an internal rate of return (IRR/XIRR) is more accurate.
- For future projections, use the Investment Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ROI formula?
ROI = (final value − total invested) ÷ total invested × 100. Investing $10,000 and getting back $13,250 is a 32.5% ROI.
What is CAGR?
Compound annual growth rate: the steady yearly return that turns the investment into the final value over the same period. CAGR = (final ÷ invested)^(1 ÷ years) − 1.
What is a good ROI?
It depends on the risk and the time involved. Compare it with a safe alternative like a high-yield savings account or Treasury bills, and with inflation.