CAGR Calculator

Calculate Compound Annual Growth Rate.

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CAGR Calculator
Yrs
CAGR
Initial Value
Final Value
Absolute Return

A CAGR calculator shows the annualized growth rate of an investment over a period, smoothing out year-to-year volatility. It is one of the most practical ways to compare different assets on a common annual basis. Investors in India and global markets use CAGR to evaluate stocks, mutual funds, businesses, and portfolios.

Why CAGR is useful

Absolute return can be misleading when investment periods differ. CAGR converts total growth into an equivalent yearly rate, making comparisons fair and intuitive. It assumes steady compounding, so it is best used as a summary metric rather than a year-by-year performance description.

CAGR formula

CAGR = (EV / BV)^(1 / n) - 1, where EV is ending value, BV is beginning value, and n is number of years.

Best practices

  • Use exact investment period in years for accuracy.
  • Compare CAGR along with volatility and drawdowns.
  • Do not treat CAGR as guaranteed future return.
  • Use post-fee and post-tax numbers where possible.

How to use this CAGR calculator

  1. Enter initial investment value.
  2. Enter final investment value.
  3. Enter total holding period in years.
  4. Check annualized growth rate output.
  5. Use it to benchmark against alternatives.

Worked example

If an investment grows from Rs 3,00,000 to Rs 6,00,000 in 6 years, CAGR = (600000/300000)^(1/6) - 1 = 12.25% approximately.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Average annual return is arithmetic mean of yearly returns, while CAGR is geometric and reflects compounding over the full period.

Yes. If ending value is lower than beginning value, CAGR will be negative, indicating annualized loss over the period.

For cash flows like SIPs, XIRR is generally more accurate than CAGR because money is invested on multiple dates.

A good CAGR depends on asset class, risk, inflation, and region. Compare against relevant benchmarks such as broad equity indices, bond yields, and inflation-adjusted targets.