Should I use APY or APR?

Use APY if your bank quotes an effective annual yield—the calculator converts it to per-period rates for compounding. Use APR if you have a nominal rate and pick the compounding frequency yourself.

What formula does the calculator use?

Future value with compounding: A = P × (1 + i)^n, where i is the per-period rate and n is the number of compounding periods. For APY, i is derived from APY as i = (1+APY)^(1/m) − 1.

Are early withdrawal penalties included?

No. Penalties vary by bank (e.g., 3–12 months of interest). This tool shows the scheduled growth; check your bank’s terms for penalty specifics.

Yes. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.

CD Calculator — Estimate Certificate of Deposit Interest & Maturity

Enter your CD details to see interest earned and maturity value. Private by design—everything runs locally in your browser.

Inputs

Currency

Symbol is cosmetic; calculations are unitless.

Principal (initial deposit)

Rate

APY is effective annual yield. APR is nominal; choose compounding below.

Compounding frequency

For APY, we derive a matching per-period rate using this frequency.

Term

Results

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Formula: \( A = P\,(1+i)^{n} \) where \(i\) is the per-period rate and \(n\) the number of compounding periods. For APY \(e\), \( i = (1+e)^{1/m} - 1 \); for APR \(r\), \( i = r/m \).

How this CD Calculator works

Enter a principal, choose APY (effective) or APR (nominal), select compounding, and set the term. We compute the maturity value and total interest. The schedule shows end-of-year balances assuming no withdrawals.

Notes & Assumptions

Taxes and bank fees are not included.
Early withdrawal penalties vary by bank and are not modeled here.
For APY, compounding frequency is used to distribute the effective annual growth into per-period rates for scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between APY and APR?

APY includes compounding over a year (effective rate). APR is nominal—compounding frequency determines the actual yield.

Can I enter partial terms?

Yes—use months or enter decimals in years (e.g., 1.5 years).

Is my data private?

Yes. Calculations run entirely in your browser.