ROI Calculator

What is ROI?

Return on investment (ROI) measures how much you gained relative to what you put in, as a percentage. It's the universal yardstick for comparing investments, projects, or purchases of very different sizes. This calculator gives the total ROI, the net gain in dollars, and — if you enter a holding period — the annualized return.

Total vs. annualized return

Total ROI = (final value − amount invested) ÷ amount invested. Turning $10,000 into $15,000 is a 50% ROI.

But 50% over one year is very different from 50% over ten. The annualized return = (final ÷ initial)^1/years − 1 puts every investment on a per-year basis so you can compare them fairly. That 50% over 3 years is about 14.5% a year.

FAQ

Does ROI account for risk or fees?

No — ROI is a pure return figure. A higher ROI often comes with higher risk, and fees/taxes reduce your real return. Use ROI to compare, but weigh risk separately. Not financial advice.

What's the difference between total ROI and annualized return?

Total ROI is the overall percentage gain regardless of how long it took, while annualized return spreads that gain across each year so investments of different lengths can be compared fairly. A 50% total return over one year is far better than the same 50% earned over ten years.

Can ROI be negative?

Yes. If the final value is less than the amount invested, ROI is negative, which means you lost money. For example, turning $10,000 into $8,000 is a −20% ROI.

How do I enter the holding period for annualized return?

Enter the number of years you held the investment, including fractions for partial years, such as 0.5 for six months. The tool then converts your total return into a per-year figure. Leave it blank if you only want the total ROI.

Is this calculator free, and is my data private?

Yes, it is completely free with no sign-up. All calculations run in your browser, so the figures you enter are never uploaded, and it works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Not financial advice.