Return on Investment (ROI) Calculator

Measure the gain or loss on an investment, see its annualized return for the holding period, and optionally compare it with another opportunity.

Compare what you put in with what you received. Enter all investment costs, the current or final value, and any income received. ROI is a simple profitability measure; annualized ROI adds time context for easier comparisons.

Table of Contents

Investment details

Total amount invested

Include initial cost and later contributions or fees you want counted.

Current or final investment value

Income received during ownership

For example, dividends, rent, or other cash income.

Display currency

Formatting only; no currency conversion.

Holding period (years)

Additional months

Use exact investment dates instead of years and months

Investment start date

Valuation or sale date

Show inflation-adjusted annualized ROI

Average annual inflation (%)

The real return adjusts the annualized ROI for inflation.

Calculate proceeds needed to reach a target ROI

Target total ROI (%)

Compare with a second investment

Investment B

Total amount invested

Current or final value

Income received

Holding period (years)

Additional months

Your ROI result

Return on investment —

Enter your investment details to calculate the return.

Total invested —

Total proceeds —

Net gain / loss —

Annualized ROI —

Inflation-adjusted annualized ROI —

Return multiple —

Investment compared with proceeds —

The ROI formula is (total proceeds − total invested) ÷ total invested × 100.

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How ROI is calculated

ROI = (total proceeds − total invested) ÷ total invested × 100. Total proceeds include the current or final investment value plus income received during ownership. A positive result is a gain relative to the invested amount; a negative result is a loss.

When exact dates are selected, the holding period uses the actual number of days divided by 365.2425. Inflation-adjusted annualized ROI is calculated as (1 + annualized ROI) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1. This helps show whether purchasing power increased, but it remains an estimate.

Annualized ROI expresses the total return as a compounded yearly rate: (total proceeds ÷ total invested)^{1 ÷ years} − 1. To make this comparison, the calculator treats all proceeds as if they were received at the end of the holding period. If you received cash flows at different dates or made investments over time, use an IRR or money-weighted return calculation for a more suitable measure.

What costs should I include?

Include the amounts you want evaluated as part of the investment cost, such as purchase price, later contributions, and transaction or management fees. Keep the same cost and income conventions when comparing options. Taxes are not included.

Why can two investments with the same ROI be different?

ROI does not account for how long it took to earn the return or when cash flows occurred. Annualized ROI adds a duration-based comparison, but it still assumes proceeds arrive at the end. Risk, liquidity, taxes, and volatility also matter.

Does a positive ROI mean an investment is a good choice?

Not by itself. This simplified measure does not assess risk, inflation, opportunity cost, suitability, or the likelihood of achieving the result. It is one comparison metric, not a recommendation.

Important: Educational estimate only; not financial, tax, or investment advice. Results depend on your inputs and timing assumptions.