CD Calculator: Certificate of Deposit Maturity Value
Work out what a certificate of deposit is worth at maturity, and how much of that figure is interest the bank has paid.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Year-by-year growth schedule
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Future value | Total contributions | Total interest earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10k · 4.5% · 5yr | $12,517.96 | $10,000.00 | $2,517.96 |
| $5k · 4.0% · 2yr | $5,415.71 | $5,000.00 | $415.71 |
| $25k · 5.0% · 3yr | $29,036.81 | $25,000.00 | $4,036.81 |
| $50k · 3.5% · 1yr | $51,778.35 | $50,000.00 | $1,778.35 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter the deposit, the CD's annual percentage yield, and the term. The calculator compounds the balance monthly at the fixed rate until the term ends, then reports the maturity value and the interest earned. A CD locks the rate for the full term, so the result is known in advance.
The Formula
Future Value with Regular Contributions
P = starting amount, PMT = monthly contribution, r = monthly rate (annual ÷ 12), n = number of months
Worked Example
A $10,000 deposit in a 5-year CD at a 4.5% APY grows to about $12,518 at maturity. Of that, roughly $2,518 is interest — a return fixed on the day the CD is opened, regardless of what rates do later.
Key Insight
A CD trades access for certainty: the rate is locked, but withdrawing early usually forfeits several months of interest. Match the term to when you will genuinely need the money, not to the highest rate on offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a certificate of deposit?
A CD is a time deposit that pays a fixed rate in exchange for leaving the money untouched for a set term. It is FDIC-insured at member banks up to the standard limit.
What happens if I withdraw early?
Most CDs charge an early-withdrawal penalty, often several months of interest. The calculator assumes the CD is held to maturity, so an early exit would return less.
Is a CD rate fixed?
Yes. Unlike a savings account, a CD locks its rate for the whole term. That protects you if rates fall but leaves you behind if rates rise.
What is a CD ladder?
A ladder splits money across CDs of staggered terms, so one matures regularly. It blends access to cash with the higher rates that longer terms tend to offer.
Is CD interest taxable?
Yes. CD interest is generally taxed as ordinary income in the year it is credited, even if the CD has not yet matured. The calculator shows pre-tax figures.
Related Calculators
Data Sources & Benchmarks
This calculator draws on 3 independent, dated sources. The starting values for cd rate (apy) are taken from the benchmarks below and refresh whenever the snapshots are updated.
Methodology & Review
The maturity value compounds the deposit monthly at a fixed annual percentage yield over the term. The model assumes the CD is held to maturity with no early-withdrawal penalty.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 17, 2026.