CAGR Calculator
Enter a starting value, an ending value and the number of years to get the compound annual growth rate, total return, growth multiple, years to double and a year-by-year projection.
How to Use
- Enter three numbers
Fill in the starting and ending amounts (both must be above 0) and the number of years, decimals allowed — 3.5 for example.
- Read the four metrics
The panel reports CAGR, total return, the growth multiple and years to double; the doubling figure is blank when growth is negative.
- Check the projection
The table below compounds the starting value year by year at that CAGR, so you can confirm the endpoint and sanity-check the curve.
FAQ
How is CAGR different from an average annual growth rate?
An average divides the total change by the number of years and ignores compounding. CAGR is the geometric mean — the single fixed yearly rate that reproduces the endpoint, which is what compounding actually does. The more volatile the series, the wider the gap.
Why not use the rule of 72 for doubling time?
The rule of 72 is a mental-maths approximation — about 0.3 years off at 8% and worse at high rates. This tool solves ln2 / ln(1+CAGR) exactly.
Can the number of years be fractional?
Yes. June 2021 to December 2024 is 3.5 years, and entering 3.5 gives a more honest annualised figure.
Can I enter negatives or percentages?
Amounts must be greater than 0 because the formula takes a root and a logarithm, and years must be positive too. Thousands separators and a trailing % are cleaned up automatically.