CD Ladder Calculator

CD Interest Calculator

Initial Deposit

Enter an amount between $1 and $10,000,000.

Rate Type

APYInterest Rate

APY

CD Term

Compounding

Included in APY

APY already accounts for compounding.

Your CD Return

Ending Balance

$10,450.00

Initial Deposit: $10,000.00
Interest Earned: +$450.00
Total Return: 4.50%

A $10,000 CD earning 4.50% APY for 12 months would grow to approximately $10,450.00, including $450.00 in interest.

Estimates are based on the information you enter and may differ from the actual amount paid by a bank.

Balance Growth

Compare CD Rates

How different rates affect your balance over the same term.

CD rate comparison using your deposit and term
APY	Interest Earned	Ending Balance
4.00%	$400.00	$10,400.00
4.50%Current	$450.00	$10,450.00
5.00%	$500.00	$10,500.00
5.50%	$550.00	$10,550.00

Compare CD Terms

How your balance changes across common CD terms at your current rate.

CD term comparison using your deposit and rate
Term	Interest Earned	Ending Balance
3 months	$110.65	$10,110.65
6 months	$222.52	$10,222.52
12 monthsCurrent	$450.00	$10,450.00
24 months	$920.25	$10,920.25
36 months	$1,411.66	$11,411.66
60 months	$2,461.82	$12,461.82

What Is a CD Ladder?

A CD ladder is a savings strategy that splits your money across several certificates of deposit with different maturity dates. For example, instead of putting all of your savings into one 60-month CD, you might open CDs that mature in 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. As each CD matures, you can use the money or reinvest it into a new CD.

This approach can make your savings more flexible while still taking advantage of CD rates. It does not guarantee higher earnings, but it can reduce the risk of having all of your money locked into one term and one rate.

How to Plan a CD Ladder

Use the calculator to estimate the ending balance for one CD at a time. Start with the deposit amount you want to place in each rung of the ladder, enter the rate you expect, and choose the term. Then change the term and compare how the balance changes across 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 60 months using the term comparison table.

A CD ladder works best when the terms match your actual spending needs. If you may need access to money before a CD matures, review the CD Early Withdrawal Penalty Calculator to understand the potential cost of withdrawing early.

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