About the roi calculator
Return on investment compares what you gained or lost with what you put in. Adding the holding period lets you calculate an annualized return, which makes investments of different lengths comparable.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the amount invested.
- Enter the final value or total returned.
- Optionally enter the number of years held.
Worked examples
- ROI = 1,500 ÷ 5,000 = 30%
- Annualized = 1.3^(1/3) − 1 ≈ 9.14%
30% total, about 9.14% per year.
Measurement guidance
Include all costs
Add purchase fees and ongoing costs to the amount invested for a truer ROI.
Frequently asked questions
Can ROI be negative?
Yes, when the final value is less than the amount invested.
Is this financial advice?
No. Past results don’t predict future returns.