ROI Calculator
Work out your return on investment from what you put in and got back — and see what it works out to per year.
What this calculator shows
It compares what you got back with what it cost — including any fees — to show your ROI and net gain, then annualizes it so you can see the return per year. Figures are based on the numbers you enter, not a forecast.
Inputs
Enter what you invested, what you got back, any fees, and how long you held it.
What you originally put in.
What you got back or it's worth.
Fees or commissions (optional).
Years held (for annualizing).
Share or bookmark this scenario.
Results
Your ROI and net gain, plus the annualized rate that accounts for time.
ROI
30%
$3,000 net gain
Annualized ROI (CAGR)
9.1%
Per year
Net gain
$3,000
Profit
Total cost
$10,000
Amount invested
Cost vs. returned
How the amount you got back compares with what it cost, with your net gain highlighted.
The green segment is your net gain of $3,000, or 30% of what it cost.
Growth at the annualized rate
An illustration of steady growth at your annualized (CAGR) rate, ending at the amount returned. Real returns vary year to year.
Insights
What the numbers mean — and why time matters as much as the headline ROI.
Your return on investment
A total cost of $10,000 returning $13,000 is a net gain of $3,000, an ROI of 30% — under these assumptions.
ROI ignores time
That 30% ROI is spread over 3 years — about 9.1% per year (annualized). ROI on its own doesn't account for time.
ROI is one measure among several
ROI ignores income timing and inflation. Use Total Return for the dividend split, the annualized rate to compare time periods, and the Inflation Calculator for real (after-inflation) return.
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Total Return Calculator
See your complete return from price gains plus income like dividends, and what it works out to per year.
Try the Total Return CalculatorROI breakdown
Exactly how your ROI is built from cost, return, and time.
| Component | Amount | % of cost |
|---|---|---|
| Amount invested | $10,000 | — |
| Additional costs | $0 | — |
| Total cost | $10,000 | 100% |
| Amount returned | $13,000 | — |
| Net gain | $3,000 | 30% |
| Annualized ROI (over 3 yrs) | — | 9.1% |
How this calculator works
An educational, point-to-point measure of a known holding period — not a projection. It compares what you got back with what it cost, then annualizes it.
What ROI means
ROI is your profit or loss relative to what an investment cost — (amount returned − total cost) ÷ total cost.
Why ROI needs a time frame
A 30% ROI in one year is very different from 30% over ten. The annualized rate makes returns over different periods comparable.
Fees are part of the cost
Commissions and fees add to what an investment really cost you, which lowers your true ROI. Include them for an honest figure.
ROI vs. total return
ROI is one net figure relative to cost. Total return separates price change from income like dividends — use that tool for the split.
ROI can be negative
If you get back less than you put in, ROI is negative. This tool shows losses clearly, not just gains.
Nominal and before tax
Results ignore inflation and taxes. For return after rising prices, use the Inflation Calculator; taxes would reduce your real result.
This is one of several educational models on Rionux. See how we model these projections across all our tools.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ROI, annualized return, and how it compares to other measures.
What is ROI and how is it calculated?
Return on investment (ROI) measures the profit or loss of an investment relative to its cost. It is calculated as (amount returned − total cost) ÷ total cost, expressed as a percentage. For example, $10,000 growing to $13,000 is a $3,000 profit — an ROI of 30%.
What is a good ROI?
There is no single answer — it depends on the time it took, the risk taken, and the returns available elsewhere. A 30% ROI earned over one year is very different from 30% over ten. That is why this calculator also shows the annualized return, which makes different holding periods comparable.
What is the difference between ROI and annualized return (CAGR)?
ROI is the total profit relative to cost over the whole period and ignores how long it took. Annualized return (CAGR) is the equivalent smoothed rate per year. Two investments can share the same ROI while having very different annualized returns if they were held for different lengths of time.
What is the difference between ROI and total return?
They overlap, but total return specifically separates price change from income like dividends, while ROI is a single net figure relative to cost. If you want to see how much of your return came from dividends versus price, use the Total Return Calculator.
Does ROI include dividends, taxes, or inflation?
This calculator treats the amount returned as everything you got back, so you can include dividends in it if you wish, but it does not model taxes or inflation. For return after rising prices, use the Inflation Calculator; taxes and fees would reduce your actual result.
Can ROI be negative?
Yes. If the amount returned is less than your total cost, ROI is negative — a loss. This calculator handles losses and shows the negative percentage clearly.
Keep going
Continue your journey
Related tools and guides to help you decide what to explore next.
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Total Return Calculator
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Inflation Calculator
Translate future money into today's purchasing power and see what inflation quietly costs.
Portfolio Allocation Calculator
Split your money across assets and see your weighted return, concentration, and long-term growth after inflation.
Related guides
How Compound Interest Works: A Beginner's Guide
A plain-English guide to how compound interest works, why time matters more than most investors realize, and how to make consistent investing compound in your favor.
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Educational use only
Educational purposes only. Calculator results are estimates based on assumptions and user inputs. They are not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.