CAGR Calculator

Enter the starting value, ending value, and time period to instantly calculate the Compound Annual Growth Rate of any investment.

+14.87%
CAGR per annum
Absolute Return
+100.0%
Profit / Loss
+₹1.00 L

Plain English: Your investment of ₹1.00 L grew to ₹2.00 L in 5 years. That's equivalent to earning 14.87% every year on a compounded basis. ✅ Great return, beating most large-cap benchmarks.

Growth Projection at 14.87% CAGR
YearValueGrowth
Year 1₹1.15 L+14.87%
Year 2₹1.32 L+31.95%
Year 3₹1.52 L+51.57%
Year 4₹1.74 L+74.11%
Year 5₹2.00 L+100.00%

What is CAGR and How to Use It?

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is the most commonly used metric to compare investment returns across different time periods. It smooths out year-to-year volatility and gives you a single "steady growth rate" that would have produced the same result.

The CAGR Formula

CAGR = [(Final Value / Initial Value)^(1/Years) − 1] × 100

Verified Example: ₹1,00,000 → ₹2,00,000 in 5 years: CAGR = [(2/1)^0.2 − 1] × 100 = 14.87%

CAGR vs Absolute Return

If you invested ₹1 lakh and it became ₹3 lakh in 10 years, absolute return = 200%. But CAGR = [(3)^0.1 − 1] × 100 = 11.6%. The CAGR is more meaningful because it tells you what annual rate would have produced this result — making it comparable across funds with different holding periods.

Limitations of CAGR

CAGR assumes constant growth — it doesn't reflect volatility. A fund that drops 50% one year and recovers 100% the next year has a 0% CAGR but a very different investor experience. For portfolios with multiple cash flows (SIPs, partial withdrawals), use XIRR instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CAGR mean?

CAGR stands for Compound Annual Growth Rate. It represents the steady annual rate at which an investment would need to grow to go from its starting value to its ending value over the given number of years, assuming profits are reinvested at the end of each year.

How is CAGR calculated?

CAGR = [(Final Value / Initial Value)^(1/Years) − 1] × 100. For example, ₹1,00,000 growing to ₹2,00,000 in 5 years has a CAGR of [(2,00,000/1,00,000)^(1/5) − 1] × 100 = 14.87%.

What is a good CAGR for a mutual fund?

For equity mutual funds in India, a CAGR of 12–16% over a 5–10 year period is considered good. Large-cap index funds typically deliver 10–13% CAGR, while actively managed mid/small-cap funds may deliver 15–22%. Always compare against the benchmark index.

What is the difference between CAGR and absolute return?

Absolute return is the simple percentage change: (Final − Initial) / Initial × 100. It does not account for time. CAGR normalises return across the holding period, making it comparable across different investment durations. Always use CAGR for long-term comparisons.

Can CAGR be negative?

Yes. If your investment has lost value (Final Value < Initial Value), CAGR will be negative, indicating an annualised loss. A CAGR of −10% means the investment lost 10% of its value every year on a compounded basis.