Compound annual growth rate
CAGR Calculator
Calculate compound annual growth rate from a starting value, ending value, and time period. Use years, months, days, or exact dates, and solve reverse CAGR scenarios instantly.
Free browser calculator
Calculate compound annual growth rate
Instant result
CAGR: 12.4683%
- CAGR
- 12.4683%
- Total growth
- 60%
- Absolute change
- $6,000
- Growth multiple
- 1.6×
- Holding period
- 4 years
Growth chart
Smoothed compound growth from the starting value to the ending value.
$10,000 → $16,000
Growth over time
A smoothed path using the calculated compound annual growth rate.
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Start | $10,000 |
| 1 years | $11,246.83 |
| 2 years | $12,649.11 |
| 3 years | $14,226.24 |
| 4 years | $16,000 |
How to use the CAGR calculator
- 1. Enter the starting value and ending value.
- 2. Enter years, months, and days, or switch to exact dates.
- 3. Read the CAGR, total growth, growth multiple, and smoothed growth path.
- 4. Use the reverse tabs to solve for future value, starting value, or time required.
CAGR formula
CAGR is the constant annual rate that connects a beginning value to an ending value over a specified period.
Exact-date mode converts actual elapsed days to years using ACT/365 Fixed. The calculator performs all calculations in the browser.
Read the CAGR formula guideExample
If a value grows from $10,000 to $16,000 over four years, the CAGR is about 12.47%. That does not mean every individual year actually returned 12.47%; it is the smoothed annual compound rate connecting the two values.
See more worked CAGR examplesWhen CAGR is not enough
CAGR works best for one beginning value and one ending value. If money is added or withdrawn on different dates, a cash-flow-aware measure such as IRR or XIRR may be more appropriate.
Compare CAGR and XIRRLearn and verify
CAGR guides
Use these focused references to check the formula, reproduce the calculation in Excel, and choose the right return metric for the question you are asking.
CAGR Formula
Understand the endpoint formula, variables, period counting, and negative CAGR.
Read guide →CAGR in Excel
Use the direct formula, RRI, or XIRR depending on the spreadsheet problem.
Read guide →CAGR Examples
Work through investment, revenue, salary, decline, and exact-date examples.
Read guide →CAGR vs ROI
Compare total return with annualized compound growth and see when each is useful.
Read guide →CAGR vs XIRR
Learn when endpoint growth is enough and when dated cash flows require XIRR.
Read guide →CAGR vs IRR
Compare endpoint compound growth with the discount rate implied by periodic cash flows.
Read guide →CAGR vs Average Return
See why arithmetic average return can differ from compounded annual growth.
Read guide →Specialized calculators
More CAGR calculators
Use the calculator that matches your time basis or the unknown value you need to solve.
Reverse CAGR Calculator
Solve for future value, starting value, or time required.
Open calculator →Revenue CAGR Calculator
Annualize multi-year revenue growth and compare it with YoY growth.
Open calculator →Annualized Return Calculator
Annualize total return or beginning and ending values over a holding period.
Open calculator →Monthly CAGR Calculator
Annualize growth measured in months or convert annual CAGR to a monthly rate.
Open calculator →Quarterly CAGR Calculator
Annualize growth measured in quarters or convert annual CAGR to a quarterly rate.
Open calculator →CAGR Calculator with Dates
Calculate CAGR from exact start and end dates using ACT/365 Fixed.
Open calculator →Transparent by design
Check the method, sources, and limits
The calculator exposes its formulas, exact-date convention, validation rules, rounding policy, and limitations. CAGR is a smoothed endpoint measure and should not be treated as a record of actual year-by-year performance or as financial advice.
CAGR calculator basics
Quick answers about what CAGR measures and when to use it.
What does CAGR mean?
CAGR stands for compound annual growth rate. It expresses the constant annual rate that would connect a beginning value to an ending value over a specified period.
Does CAGR show actual year-by-year returns?
No. CAGR is a smoothed annualized rate between two values and does not describe the path or volatility between them.
Can CAGR be negative?
Yes. CAGR is negative when the ending value is lower than the starting value over a positive time period.
How does exact-date mode work?
Exact-date calculations use the actual number of elapsed days divided by 365 (ACT/365 Fixed) to convert the holding period into years.
When is CAGR not enough?
When there are deposits or withdrawals at different dates, a cash-flow-aware measure such as IRR or XIRR may be more appropriate.