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Measure annualized growth with the full picture.

Calculate CAGR, total return, growth multiple and yearly progression. Compare against a benchmark, estimate doubling time, project future values, or solve backward for a target ending value or required period.

✓ CAGR and total return ✓ Reverse calculations ✓ Year-by-year projection ✓ Chart and CSV export

Choose what you want to calculate

Use positive beginning and ending values. Time can include fractional years.

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Compound annual growth rate 0.00% Positive growth

Annualized growth summary

Total return
Growth multiple
Absolute change
Vs benchmark
Approx. doubling time
Average value change/year
Period length
Ending value

Compounded growth path

Year-by-year projection

Period Projected value Change from start Benchmark value

How to interpret this result

CAGR is a smoothed annualized rate between two values. It does not show volatility, drawdowns, cash flows, fees, taxes, dividends or the actual sequence of yearly returns unless those are already reflected in the values. Historical growth does not guarantee future results.
Detailed CAGR guide

Understand annualized growth without confusing it with yearly performance.

Compound annual growth rate is the annualized rate that connects one beginning value to one ending value across a period. It is frequently used for investments, business revenue, users, sales, profit, market size and other values that grow or decline over time.

CAGR formula

CAGR = (Ending Value ÷ Beginning Value)^(1 ÷ Years) − 1

Example

If a value grows from $10,000 to $18,000 in five years, CAGR is the constant annual rate that would reproduce that change through compounding.

CAGR versus total return

Total return measures the complete percentage change over the entire period. CAGR converts that change into a smoothed annual rate. They answer different questions.

CAGR versus arithmetic average

An arithmetic average adds annual percentage changes and divides by the number of observations. CAGR uses geometric compounding and is tied directly to the beginning and ending values.

When CAGR is useful

  • Comparing growth over periods of different lengths
  • Summarizing multi-year revenue or user growth
  • Comparing an investment with a benchmark
  • Creating a smooth projection from a historical rate
  • Estimating the rate needed to reach a target

When CAGR is incomplete

  • When there are deposits or withdrawals during the period
  • When volatility and drawdowns matter
  • When fees, taxes or distributions are omitted
  • When the beginning or ending value is zero or negative
  • When a smooth projection is mistaken for a forecast
Frequently asked questions

CAGR questions answered.

What does CAGR mean?

It is the annualized compound rate connecting a beginning value with an ending value over a period.

Can CAGR be negative?

Yes. If the ending value is below the beginning value, CAGR is negative.

Does CAGR show investment risk?

No. CAGR does not show volatility, drawdowns or the sequence of annual returns.

Can I use fractional years?

Yes. Values such as 2.5 years are supported, provided the time is greater than zero.

Does the projection predict the future?

No. It applies the selected CAGR mechanically and should not be treated as a forecast.

Can CAGR handle regular contributions?

Not accurately by itself. Investments with deposits and withdrawals generally require a cash-flow-aware return measure.