FDIC Deposit Insurance is Backed by the Full Faith and Credit of the U.S. Government. FDIC Deposit Insurance is Backed by the Full Faith and Credit of the U.S. Government.

Advertiser Disclosure

CD Calculator: Estimate Your Certificate of Deposit Earnings

Conor Keenan

By: Conor Keenan, AWMA®

Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® designee · Updated October 28, 2026

Editorial Independence: Our recommendations and reviews are our own. Partner commissions may help keep our site free and do not influence our editorial content.

Enter a deposit amount to estimate interest over the full term of the CDs shown in the comparison. Each offer supplies its own annual percentage yield (APY) and term. Use the results to compare possible earnings, then check the institution’s current account terms and eligibility requirements.

The estimates assume you keep the deposit and interest in the CD for the entire term at the displayed APY. They exclude taxes, fees and early-withdrawal penalties. Any displayed promotional bonus has separate qualification requirements.

To recap our recommendations

Best Certificates of Deposit According to CompareAccounts™

Estimated earnings Estimated earnings is shown per $10,000 deposited and assumes the deposit is held for the listed term using the displayed APY, which already reflects compounding. Because values are rounded, multiplying the displayed amount provides an approximation only. Actual earnings may vary due to account terms, balance tiers, fees, rate changes, timing, withdrawals, or rounding. For illustration only.
A recap of the certificate of deposit offers listed in the comparison table above
Bank / institution APY Term Estimated earnings Estimated earnings is shown per $10,000 deposited and assumes the deposit is held for the listed term using the displayed APY, which already reflects compounding. Because values are rounded, multiplying the displayed amount provides an approximation only. Actual earnings may vary due to account terms, balance tiers, fees, rate changes, timing, withdrawals, or rounding. For illustration only. Learn more

Loading current recommendations…

Customers Also Viewed These High-Yield Savings Accounts

In This Article

Key Takeaways

  • Change the deposit amount to update the comparison; you do not need to enter an APY or term separately.
  • APY already accounts for compounding. It should not be compounded again as a nominal annual rate.
  • Compare APY and access conditions as well as dollar earnings. A longer term gives money more time to earn interest.
  • A bonus is separate from interest and may require additional actions to qualify.

How to use this CD calculator

  1. Enter your deposit amount. The comparison starts at $10,000 and uses whole-dollar deposits. Check each offer’s minimum deposit; entering an amount does not establish eligibility.
  2. Choose a sort. You can view Recommended, Highest APY, Estimated earnings, Shortest term or Longest term.
  3. Review the term beside each estimate. A 6-month and a 2-year CD cover different periods. Higher full-term dollar earnings do not necessarily mean a higher annual yield.
  4. Read the offer details. Check minimums, interest-payment options, withdrawal penalties and any bonus conditions before choosing an account.

Where the comparison shows a bonus, read the interest and bonus amounts separately. A combined earnings figure can include a conditional bonus; it does not mean everyone will receive it. The displayed offer details explain what is included.

How CD interest is estimated from APY

For a constant APY with interest retained in the account:

Ending balance = deposit × (1 + APY ÷ 100)^(term in months ÷ 12)

Estimated interest = ending balance − deposit

For example, $10,000 at a hypothetical 3.00% APY earns $300 over one year, giving an ending balance of $10,300. Applying monthly compounding to that 3.00% again would overstate the APY-based result. The CFPB’s deposit-account definitions explain the distinction between APY and the interest rate.

Deposit Term Hypothetical APY Estimated interest Ending balance
$5,000 12 months 3.00% $150.00 $5,150.00
$10,000 6 months 3.00% $148.89 $10,148.89
$10,000 12 months 3.00% $300.00 $10,300.00
$10,000 24 months 3.00% $609.00 $10,609.00
$25,000 12 months 3.00% $750.00 $25,750.00

These examples use one hypothetical APY, not current offers. The comparison cards round their estimates to whole dollars. Actual credited interest can differ because of exact dates, account calculations, withdrawals or interest paid outside the CD.

Compare the term as well as the yield

A certificate of deposit holds money for an agreed term. Traditional CDs commonly charge a penalty for withdrawing early, so match the term to when you expect to need the money. The CFPB’s CD guide explains why account terms and early-withdrawal rules matter.

For money you may need soon, compare accessible savings options rather than assuming a CD is the right fit. A CD ladder divides deposits across different maturity dates, but requires more than one account and does not eliminate withdrawal restrictions.

Review CD account options and compare CD rates. For a flexible-access alternative, review savings account rates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I calculate earnings for a 6-month CD?

Yes. Use an offer with a 6-month term and enter your deposit. The estimate covers that term, not a full year. At 3.00% APY, the model’s 6-month return is about 1.49%, rather than the full 3% annual yield.

Does APY tell me the monthly interest payment?

Not by itself. APY expresses an annual yield that includes compounding. The CD’s payment schedule and whether interest stays in the account affect what you receive. Ask the institution for its payout terms if you need regular income.

Does the calculator subtract an early-withdrawal penalty?

No. It assumes the deposit remains for the full term. Read the account’s penalty and withdrawal rules before relying on money being available early.

Are CDs FDIC-insured?

Eligible bank CDs at FDIC-insured banks are covered if the bank fails, generally up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category. Deposits you hold in the same ownership category at the same bank are combined for this limit. Coverage does not remove early-withdrawal penalties or make every product described as a CD equivalent. See the FDIC’s deposit-insurance guidance.

Can I add monthly contributions?

This comparison estimates growth from a single starting deposit. It does not model additional deposits. To explore hypothetical growth with monthly saving, use our compound interest calculator and its nominal-rate assumptions. You can also browse our financial calculators.

Compare the Best CD Rates Today

Find the highest-yielding CDs from top banks and credit unions — all in one place.

Compare CD Rates →

Important information

Product disclosures

Loading applicable product disclosures…