DIY Cost Tools
Investment Return Calculator
FINANCIAL CALCULATOR
Measure total gain, return on invested money, and approximate annualized return.
How it works
Enter the cash invested, ending market value, cash income received, and time held. The calculator compares final value plus income with total invested cash.
Formula
Net gain = ending value + income − total invested. Total return = gain ÷ total invested. Annualized return ≈ [(ending value + income) ÷ total invested]1/years − 1.
Worked example
An investment growing from $10,000 to $15,000 over three years has a 50% total return and an approximate 14.47% annualized return.
Important limits
- The annualized figure treats contributions as though invested at the beginning, so irregular cash flows require an internal-rate-of-return calculation.
- Taxes, transaction costs, advisory fees, and inflation are excluded.
- Past performance does not predict future results.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as income?
Cash dividends, interest, or distributions received during the period can be entered as income.
Can a loss produce an annualized result?
Yes when final value plus income stays above zero; a complete loss has no finite geometric annualized return.
Sources and review notes
Investor.gov’s compound interest resources explain how investment value can grow over time. This is an educational estimate, not investment advice. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.