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© 2026 Scypion Finance. Founded by Erajah Scypion.Your money, and the forces that move it.
Home›Calculators›Investing Basics›Investment Return (ROI) Calculator
◆ CALCULATOR

Investment Return (ROI) Calculator

Measure what an investment actually earned, total and annualized, so you can compare opportunities fairly.

✓ ReviewedBy the Scypion Finance team · The method, a worked example, and the sources are laid out below.
◆ CALCULATOR

Investment Return (ROI)

Measure what an investment actually earned, total and per year, so you can compare apples to apples.

Try an example
Your investment
Amount Invested
$
Value Now (or at Sale)
$
Holding Period
yrs
Annualized Return
9.9% / yr
Total Return
60.0%
Profit
$6,000
Annualized Return
9.9%
Principal: $10,000, Gain: $6,000
Principal$10,000 · 62.5%Gain$6,000 · 37.5%
SegmentValueShare
Principal$10,00062.5%
Gain$6,00037.5%

Annualized return lets you compare investments held for different lengths of time.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter what you invested and its value nowYour initial amount and the current or sale value.
  2. Enter the holding periodHow long you've held the investment, in years.
  3. Compare the annualized returnUse annualized, not total, to compare investments held for different lengths of time.

Return on investment answers the basic question: did this make money, and how much? The figure that actually helps you decide is the annualized return, which compares investments held for different lengths of time on equal footing.

◆ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between total and annualized return?

Total return is the full percentage gain over the whole holding period. Annualized return restates that as a yearly rate, which lets you compare investments held for different lengths of time on equal footing.

Why is annualized return the more useful number?

Because a 50% total gain means something very different over two years than over ten. Annualizing puts every investment on a per-year basis, so you are comparing like for like.

Does this include dividends or fees?

Only if you build them into the values you enter. For an accurate return, use the true amount invested and the real ending value after fees, and add any dividends or income you received.

Keep reading

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Prospect Theory: How People Actually Evaluate Gains and Losses

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◆ INVESTING BASICS

What Is an ETF?

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◆ INVESTING BASICS

What Is an Index Fund?

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◆ Sources

  1. U.S. SEC, Investor.gov, Compound Interest / returns basics
  2. U.S. SEC, Ten Things to Consider Before You Make Investing Decisions
  3. Investopedia, Return on Investment (ROI)
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