CAGR Calculator

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) expresses an investment's growth as a single smoothed annual rate — useful for comparing a single lump-sum investment across different time periods.

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Formula

CAGR = (Ending Value / Beginning Value)1/years − 1

CAGR is only valid for a single entry, single exit investment. If you added or withdrew money at different points in time (like a SIP or SWP), CAGR will give a misleading answer — use XIRR instead, since it correctly accounts for the timing of each cash flow.

Worked Examples

Example 1 u2014 3-year growth

₹1,00,000 → ₹1,50,000 over 3 years: CAGR ≈ 14.47% per year.

Example 2 u2014 Comparing two investments

Investment A doubles in 5 years (CAGR ≈ 14.9%); Investment B grows 60% in 3 years (CAGR ≈ 16.96%). Despite the smaller total gain, B compounds faster per year — which is exactly what CAGR reveals.

Definitions

Beginning Value
The investment's value at the start of the period.
Ending Value
The investment's value at the end of the period.
Number of Years
The length of the holding period, used to annualize the growth.
CAGR
Compound Annual Growth Rate — the single smoothed annual rate that would take the beginning value to the ending value. Valid only for a single lump-sum investment.

How to Use

  1. Enter the beginning value of your investment.
  2. Enter the ending (current or final) value.
  3. Enter the number of years between the two values.
  4. Read the CAGR and the absolute rupee gain instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between CAGR and absolute return?
Absolute return is simply the total percentage gain over the whole period, with no regard to how long it took. CAGR annualizes that gain, making it possible to fairly compare a 3-year investment against a 7-year one.
Can I use CAGR for my SIP returns?
No u2014 SIP involves many cash flows at different dates, and CAGR assumes just one entry and one exit. Use XIRR for SIP, SWP, or any investment with multiple contributions or withdrawals.
Does CAGR smooth out volatility?
Yes, and that's both its strength and its limitation u2014 CAGR shows the equivalent steady annual rate, but it hides how bumpy the actual year-to-year journey was.
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