Calculation details
Planning estimate only, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify assumptions and current rules before making decisions.
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Use this result
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What does this calculator estimate?
Investment return measures the gain on a sum of money over a period, accounting for the amount you started with and any additional contributions or cash flow. Enter your starting value, ending value, years, and extra contributions to calculate your return.
- Return = (end − start − extra) ÷ start × 100
- Accounts for extra contributions
- Expressed as a percentage over the period
What investment return measures
Investment return is the gain or loss on an investment, expressed as a percentage of what you put in. It tells you how well your money performed, and it's the number to compare against other opportunities and inflation.
Limitations to watch for
A simple percentage doesn't annualize — comparing a 30% return over 5 years vs 2 years is misleading unless you adjust for the period. It also ignores taxes, fees, and dividends unless you include them as cash flow. Currency and timing of contributions affect the true picture.
How to use it in practice
Compare your return to a benchmark (like an index) and to inflation to see real (inflation-adjusted) growth. Always annualize when comparing different time periods. Use the same return measure across investments so you're comparing like-for-like.
- Enter the starting value of the investment.
- Enter the ending value and any extra contributions or cash flow.
- Return = (end value − start − extra) ÷ start × 100.
How this calculator works
Formula
Total return = (ending value − starting value) ÷ starting value × 100, including any cash flow contributed. The calculator compares a starting and ending value along with extra contributions to produce a return figure.
Worked example
An investment of $10,000 that grows to $15,000 with $2,000 of extra contributions gives a total return of ($15,000 − $10,000 − $2,000) ÷ $10,000 = 30%.
Assumptions to verify
- Extra contributions are added on top of the starting value.
- The return is over the full period, not annualized.
- Fees and taxes are not included unless entered as cash flow.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate investment return?
Total return = (ending value − starting value − extra contributions) ÷ starting value × 100.
What is a good return?
It depends on your benchmark and time frame. Historically, broad stock index returns have averaged 7–10% annually, but that's nominal and not guaranteed.
Should I annualize my return?
Yes, when comparing different time periods. A 30% return over 5 years is roughly 5.4% annualized; over 2 years it's ~14%.
Does this include dividends?
Only if you count them as cash flow. For a true total return, add dividends and distributions received.
How do extra contributions affect return?
They increase the value but aren't gains. The formula subtracts them so you measure performance, not just how much you added.
Why compare to inflation?
Real return = nominal − inflation. A 7% return in a 4% inflation year is only 3% in purchasing power.
Is return the same as profit?
Return is profit expressed as a percentage of what you invested. It standardizes gains so you can compare investments of different sizes.
Cite this tool
BoringToolsKit. “Investment Return Calculator.” boringtoolskit.com/investment-return-calculator/ (reviewed 2026-08-25). Free to reference in articles, syllabi, and answer posts with a link.
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