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Simple Interest Calculator United States 2026

Simple interest, and what it becomes when you compound it, add a monthly deposit, pay tax on it or hold it long enough for inflation to matter — with the balance drawn year by year.

Simple interest is principal times rate times time, and it is the one form of interest that never earns on itself: 10,000 at 6% earns 600 a year whether it is the first year or the tenth.

Results update as you type
Results
Total Amount
$11,800
Principal—
Total interest earned—
Total deposits—
Tax on interest—
After-tax interest—
Real value (inflation-adjusted)—
Interest as % of principal—
Reviewed September 2026. The time value of money is arithmetic, not regulation: the same formula in every market. Only the currency shown changes. US deposits quote APY and loans quote APR; APR under Regulation Z includes most fees, which is why it exceeds the nominal rate. Maintained by Adam Formosa.
No account required · Google Analytics off unless allowedCalculator arithmetic runs in your browserResults update as you type
Principal and interest, year by year
Principal and interest, year by year
Principal · Yr 0$10,000.00
Principal · Yr 1$10,000.00
Principal · Yr 2$10,000.00
Principal · Yr 3$10,000.00
Interest · Yr 0$0.00
Interest · Yr 1$600.00
Interest · Yr 2$1,200.00
Interest · Yr 3$1,800.00
The balance as it accumulates
The balance as it accumulates
Yr 0$10,000.00
Yr 1$10,600.00
Yr 2$11,200.00
Yr 3$11,800.00
Simple against compound, on the same rate
Simple against compound, on the same rate
Simple · Yr 0$10,000.00
Simple · Yr 1$10,600.00
Simple · Yr 2$11,200.00
Simple · Yr 3$11,800.00
Compound · Yr 0$10,000.00
Compound · Yr 1$10,600.00
Compound · Yr 2$11,236.00
Compound · Yr 3$11,910.16
How much of the balance is interest
How much of the balance is interest
Principal$10,000.00
Interest$1,800.00
All calculations run 100% in your browser. The calculator code does not submit your figures to GlobalCalc to obtain a result.
About simple interest

How the simple interest works

Simple interest is principal times rate times time, and it is the one form of interest that never earns on itself: 10,000 at 6% earns 600 a year whether it is the first year or the tenth. Choose a compounding frequency and the arithmetic changes completely — each period's interest joins the balance and earns in the next, so the same rate over the same term returns more the more often it compounds, and the gap widens with time rather than staying proportional. That difference is the whole reason a quoted rate means little without the compounding beside it. A regular deposit is added at the start of each period so it earns for that period, which is the convention a savings account uses. Tax comes off the interest, not the balance: interest is ordinary income in all three markets, taxed at your marginal rate rather than at a savings rate, and the after-tax line is what actually accrues to you. The real value discounts the final balance by inflation over the term — the number that answers whether the money grew or merely kept its place, and at a 6% return against 3% inflation it is roughly half of what the nominal figure suggests.

Formula: Simple: I = P × r × t · Compound: A = P(1 + r ÷ n)^(n × t) · real value = A ÷ (1 + i)^t

United States Simple Interest Notes

US simple-interest examples are useful for promissory notes, short-term loans, classroom finance, late-payment calculations, and non-compounding savings checks.

Because interest is calculated only on the original principal, this is different from APY or compound-interest examples used by most deposit accounts.

Use this USD version when the agreement does not compound and you need a clear interest amount for a chosen number of days, months, or years.

For CDs, savings accounts, or investment growth, compare this result with compound-interest or savings-goal calculations.

US setup: this simple interest is tuned for dollar-denominated scenarios, American payroll and tax references, state-by-state cost differences, and the finance terms people see in lender, employer, or IRS-facing documents.

The page keeps US language in place where it is relevant, including IRS, federal withholding, FICA, 401(k), sales tax, miles, APR, down payment, paycheck, state tax, and USD totals.

Treat the answer as a United States estimate; before acting, compare it with provider disclosures, state rules, federal guidance, lender underwriting, payroll settings, or advice from a qualified professional.

Simple interest = Principal × Rate × Time. Interest does not compound — it remains flat.

Simple interest by amount (5%, 3yr) Simple vs compound over time ($10k, 5%) Rate impact ($10k, 3yr) All calculations run 100% in your browser. The calculator code does not submit your figures to GlobalCalc to obtain a result. Understanding your result

Select the question that matches where you are right now.

Your result shows the projected growth or return based on the rate, contribution, and time period you entered — using standard compound or simple interest formulas.

What to do with it

Use this to set savings targets, compare investment options, or understand the impact of starting earlier. Adjust the rate and timeframe to model optimistic and conservative scenarios.

What it is not

Not a guaranteed return. Actual investment outcomes depend on market conditions, fees, taxes, and timing that cannot be predicted with certainty.

Accuracy

Uses standard financial formulas with the inputs you provided. Calculator arithmetic runs in your browser; the calculator code does not submit your figures to GlobalCalc to obtain a result.

Savings and investment results are dominated by three factors: the rate of return, the time horizon, and regular contributions. Compounding amplifies all three over time.

Compound growth

Returns on returns accelerate growth over time. The difference between 5% and 7% over 20 years is much larger than the 2% gap suggests — compounding is non-linear.

Regular contributions

Adding even small regular amounts dramatically increases the final balance. $100/week invested at 7% for 20 years grows to over $110,000 in contributions and $110,000+ in returns.

Time horizon

Starting 5 years earlier often produces a larger final balance than doubling your contribution rate. Time is the most powerful variable in savings calculations.

To improve your savings outcome, focus on starting earlier, increasing contributions, and minimising fees and tax drag on returns.

Start now, increase later

Starting with a small amount today and increasing over time beats waiting to start with a larger amount. Time in the market matters more than timing the market.

Minimise fees

A 1% annual fee on a $100k balance costs $1,000/year and compounds against you. Compare fee structures across savings and investment products.

Use tax-advantaged accounts

401(k)s, IRAs, and tax-advantaged accounts reduce the drag of tax on your returns — letting more of the growth compound for you.

Savings decisions connect to investment, tax, and retirement planning. Use these calculators to model the broader picture.

Set a savings goal

Work backwards from a target amount to see how much you need to save each month.

Savings goal → Check compound growth

Model how an initial investment grows with regular contributions over different time periods.

Compound interest → Factor in inflation

See what your future balance is worth in today's dollars after adjusting for inflation.

Inflation calculator → Related calculators Compound InterestCompare with compound Savings GoalSavings planning Loan RepaymentLoan interest InflationReal returns ROI CalculatorInvestment return Net WorthSavings picture How simple interest works How it works

How simple interest is calculated

Simple interest formula

Simple Interest = Principal × Rate × Time (P × R × T). Interest is calculated only on the original principal — it never compounds. A $10,000 loan at 5% for 3 years: SI = $10,000 × 0.05 × 3 = $1,500.

PrincipalRateYearsSimple interestTotal repaid
$5,0005%2$500$5,500
$10,0005%3$1,500$11,500
$20,0007%5$7,000$27,000
$50,0004%10$20,000$70,000
Reference data Examples

Simple interest examples — savings and loans

AmountRatePeriodSimple interestMonthly interest
$5,0004.5%1 yr$225$18.75
$10,0005%3 yrs$1,500$41.67
$25,0006%5 yrs$7,500$125.00
$100,0005%2 yrs$10,000$416.67
vs Compound