CAGR Formula Explained, With Examples
Every cagr result comes from one formula. Once you understand what goes into it, you can sanity-check any figure you are given, whether by an employer, a bank, a teacher or another website.
The formula
CAGR = (end ÷ start)^(1/years) − 1.
What each input means
- Starting value: the value you enter in the calculator.
- Ending value: the value you enter in the calculator.
- Years: the value you enter in the calculator.
Example
For example, with these inputs:
- Starting value: 10,000
- Ending value: 18,000
- Years: 5
the calculator returns:
- CAGR: 12.47%
How the result changes
The table keeps the other inputs at their example values and changes starting value.
| Starting value | CAGR |
|---|---|
| 10,000 | 12.47% |
| 5,000 | 29.20% |
| 7,500 | 19.14% |
| 12,500 | 7.57% |
| 15,000 | 3.71% |
Why it matters
Interest rates, instalments and returns compound over years, so a small difference in rate or tenure turns into thousands of dollars. Working the numbers out yourself makes it easier to compare bank offers, avoid expensive debt and plan savings goals.
Calculators make it easy to compare scenarios side by side: a shorter tenure versus a lower instalment, a higher deposit versus more cash in hand, or paying down debt versus investing. Seeing the total cost, not just the monthly figure, usually makes the better choice obvious.
Interest in Singapore is quoted in several ways. Mortgages and savings accounts use effective annual rates, while car loans and many personal loans are advertised at flat rates that look much lower than their true cost. Banks must disclose the effective interest rate, and comparing on that basis gives a fair picture.
An emergency fund of three to six months of essential expenses protects you from having to borrow at high rates when something unexpected happens. Once that buffer is in place, extra savings can go towards longer-term goals and investments.
Related calculations
- Split the Bill Calculator: Splits a bill evenly.
- Credit Card Payoff Calculator: Shows how long a card balance takes to clear at a fixed payment.
- Retirement Savings Calculator: Projects retirement savings outside CPF.
- Emergency Fund Calculator: Sets a target for your rainy-day savings.
Use the CAGR Calculator to plug in your own numbers.
Run your own numbers: CAGR Calculator