Find the annual growth rate implied by two values, or estimate a future value from an assumed CAGR. Use it for a balance with no interim cash flows, revenue comparisons, or another consistently measured quantity.
How to use this calculator
On Growth rate, enter a positive starting value, a non-negative ending value, and the elapsed years, months, and days. On Exact dates, enter the dates instead; the calculation uses actual elapsed days divided by 365. On Future value, supply the starting value, annual rate, and term.
Use consistent units and definitions for both endpoints. The currency selector only changes display labels. Months count as one twelfth of a year and additional days as one 365th in the term-based modes.
Reading your results
CAGR describes the equivalent constant yearly change. Total percentage change measures the entire period without annualizing it. The growth table is an illustrative smooth path between the endpoints, not a record of what happened in each year. For future-value projections, it assumes the entered rate continues throughout the term.
Examples
A value doubles over five years
A starting value of 10,000 and an ending value of 20,000 produce a total gain of 10,000 and 100% total growth. CAGR is about 14.8698%, not 20%, because each year's growth compounds on the previous year's value.
A declining value
A fall from 10,000 to 8,100 in two years is −19% total change and −10% CAGR. Applying a 10% decline twice gives 10,000 × 0.9 × 0.9 = 8,100.
Formula
CAGR = ((ending / starting)^(1 / years) − 1) × 100%
Ending value = starting × (1 + CAGR/100)^years
Total change = (ending − starting) / starting × 100%
The starting value and term must both be positive. A zero ending value is supported; a negative ending value cannot be annualized with this formula.
When CAGR is not enough
CAGR does not reveal volatility, taxes, fees, inflation, or the timing of cash flows. A very short period can annualize to an extreme rate that should not be read as a forecast. For revenue, use comparable accounting periods; for investments with deposits or withdrawals, consider the IRR calculator.