Investment ROI Calculator
Measure the total and annualized return on any investment from its starting value, ending value, and added contributions.
See exactly how your money performed. Enter what you put in at the start, what you added along the way, and what it's worth now — the calculator reports your total gain, total return percentage, and the annualized return that lets you compare it fairly against any other investment.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the amount you originally invested.
- Add any extra contributions you made along the way (leave at 0 if none).
- Enter the investment's current or final value and how many years you held it.
- Click Calculate to see your total gain, total return %, and annualized return.
The formula
ROI = (Final Value − Total Invested) / Total Invested; Annualized ROI = (Final Value / Total Invested)^(1/years) − 1
Worked example
$10,000 growing to $15,000 over 5 years, with no added contributions, is a $5,000 total gain — a 50.00% total return, or 8.45% annualized.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ROI?
Return on investment (ROI) measures how much an investment grew relative to what you put in. It's calculated as (final value minus total invested) divided by total invested, expressed as a percentage. A $10,000 investment that grows to $15,000 has a 50% ROI.
How is annualized ROI different from total ROI?
Total ROI covers the whole holding period, so a 50% return over 5 years and a 50% return over 1 year look identical. Annualized ROI converts the result into an equivalent per-year rate — 8.45% per year in the 5-year example — so you can compare investments held for different lengths of time.
Should I include fees and contributions in the calculation?
Yes for an honest number. Add every dollar you contributed (including reinvested amounts) to the cost basis, and subtract commissions or fees from the final value. This calculator takes additional contributions into account; for per-trade fee math, use the Stock Profit Calculator.
What counts as a good ROI?
It depends on the asset class, risk, and time period — a 7% annualized return is strong for a diversified stock portfolio but poor for a speculative trade. Compare your annualized return against a relevant benchmark, like a broad market index fund over the same period.
Does ROI account for taxes or inflation?
No — ROI as calculated here is pre-tax and nominal. Capital gains taxes can take a meaningful bite, and inflation erodes purchasing power. For after-tax planning, subtract your estimated tax bill from the final value before calculating.