📊 Compound Interest Calculator

See the amazing power of compounding. Calculate how your money multiplies over time with different compounding frequencies.

Enter Investment Details

%
Yrs

📊 Compound Interest Result

Total Maturity Amount
₹2,70,704
Principal
37%
Principal Invested
Compound Interest
Principal Invested₹1,00,000
Compound Interest Earned₹1,70,704
Total Amount₹2,70,704
Try FD Calculator →

What Is Compound Interest?

Compound Interest is interest calculated on both the initial principal and the interest accumulated from previous periods. Unlike simple interest (calculated only on principal), compound interest grows exponentially — making it the most powerful concept in personal finance.

Albert Einstein is often (though perhaps apocryphally) credited with calling compound interest the "eighth wonder of the world." Whether he said it or not, the math speaks for itself.

Compound Interest Formula

A = P × (1 + r/n)^(n×t) CI = A - P Where: A = Final Amount P = Principal r = Annual Interest Rate (decimal) n = Number of compounding periods per year t = Time in years CI = Compound Interest Earned

📌 Power of Compounding Example

₹1,00,000 invested at 10% for 10 years:

Simple Interest → ₹1,00,000 interest | Total = ₹2,00,000

Compound (Quarterly) → ₹1,70,704 interest | Total = ₹2,70,704

Extra gain from compounding: ₹70,704 more! 🚀

How Compounding Frequency Affects Returns

The more frequently interest is compounded, the higher your returns. Here's a comparison for ₹1,00,000 at 10% for 10 years:

Compounding Maturity Amount Interest Earned
Annually₹2,59,374₹1,59,374
Semi-Annually₹2,65,330₹1,65,330
Quarterly₹2,68,506₹1,68,506
Monthly₹2,70,704₹1,70,704

Rule of 72 – Quick Doubling Time Estimator

The Rule of 72 is a quick mental math shortcut: divide 72 by the annual interest rate to estimate how many years it takes to double your money.

Years to Double = 72 ÷ Annual Interest Rate Example: At 8% → 72 ÷ 8 = 9 years to double At 12% → 72 ÷ 12 = 6 years to double

Compound Interest – FAQs

What investments use compound interest in India? +
Fixed Deposits, Recurring Deposits, PPF, NPS, EPF, and mutual funds (through reinvestment of returns) all effectively use compound interest. The more frequently the compounding, the better your returns.
Is compound interest bad for borrowers? +
Yes, compound interest works against you when borrowing (e.g., credit cards that compound daily). Always pay credit card bills in full to avoid compound interest charges. For savings and investments, compound interest is your best friend.
What is continuous compounding? +
Continuous compounding means interest is compounded an infinite number of times per year. The formula is A = P × e^(r×t), where e ≈ 2.71828. It represents the theoretical maximum return for a given rate.

Related Calculators