APY Calculator
Calculate Annual Percentage Yield (APY) from APR, or calculate APY from principal and interest earned. Compare compounding frequencies.
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
5.1162%
Effective annual rate with monthly (12/yr) compounding
Future Value
$10,511.62
Total Interest
$511.62
Total Deposits
$10,000.00
APY Formula
Where = nominal APR (decimal), = compounding periods per year
APR 5% ā APY by Compounding Frequency
| Frequency | APY | Interest on $10,000/yr |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | 5.1267% | $512.67 |
| Weekly | 5.1246% | $512.46 |
| Monthly(selected) | 5.1162% | $511.62 |
| Quarterly | 5.0945% | $509.45 |
| Half-Yearly | 5.0625% | $506.25 |
| Yearly | 5.0000% | $500.00 |
APY vs APR
APR = nominal annual rate (does not account for compounding)
APY = effective annual rate (includes compounding effect)
APY is always ā„ APR. The more frequent the compounding, the larger the gap.
How to Use
- 1
Choose APR ā APY mode or Interest ā APY mode
- 2
Enter the nominal APR and select compounding frequency
- 3
Optionally enter principal, years, and regular deposits
- 4
View APY, future value, and comparison across frequencies
- 5
Understanding the key inputs ā APR is the annual rate without compounding, while APY includes the effect of compounding and represents your true annual return
- 6
Interpreting the results ā the comparison table shows how different compounding frequencies (daily, monthly, quarterly, etc.) affect your effective yield
Examples
Good Examples
6% APR compounded monthly
APY = (1 + 0.06/12)^12 - 1 = 6.1678%5% APR compounded daily
APY = (1 + 0.05/365)^365 - 1 = 5.1267%Interest earned to APY
$50 interest on $1,000 over 1 year = 5.0000% APYComparing savings accounts
Account A: 4.8% APR monthly = 4.91% APY; Account B: 4.85% APR daily = 4.97% APY ā Account B earns more despite a higher rateImpact of compounding on a large deposit
$100,000 at 5% APR compounded daily vs annually: daily APY is 5.127% vs annual 5.000% ā a $127 difference per yearBad Examples
Confusing APR with APY
A 5% APR is not the same as 5% APY when interest compoundsIgnoring compounding frequency
Two accounts at the same APR can yield different APYsComparing APY from different types of accounts
A savings account APY and a bond yield may be calculated differently ā always verify the method usedCommon Mistakes
- Confusing APY with APR ā APR does not account for compounding
- Ignoring compounding frequency ā more frequent compounding yields higher APY
- Comparing APY across different terms without adjustment
- Forgetting about account fees that reduce effective yield
- Not realizing that advertised APY may require a minimum balance to earn
- Assuming APY stays constant ā variable-rate accounts can change the APY at any time
- Forgetting that early withdrawal from CDs or fixed accounts can eliminate the APY advantage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between APY and APR?
APR is the nominal annual rate that does not account for compounding. APY includes the effect of compounding and is always equal to or higher than APR. Use APY to compare savings accounts and CDs.
Which compounding frequency is best?
More frequent compounding yields a slightly higher APY. The difference between monthly and daily compounding on a 5% APR is only about 0.01%, but it can matter on large balances over long periods.
Can APY be negative?
In theory, APY is always ā„ 0 for positive interest rates. In practice, some accounts may charge fees that effectively reduce your yield below zero.
How do I calculate APY from interest earned?
Use the formula: . For example, 1,000 over 365 days gives an APY of 5%.
What is a good APY for a savings account in 2026?
A good APY depends on the current economic environment. High-yield savings accounts from online banks typically offer 4-5% APY, while traditional banks may offer only 0.01-0.5%. Online banks generally provide the best rates because they have lower overhead costs.
How to compare savings accounts using APY?
APY is the best metric for comparing savings accounts because it standardizes the effect of compounding across different banks. Always compare APY rather than the stated interest rate, as two banks quoting the same nominal rate may have different APYs based on their compounding frequency.
APY vs dividend rate ā what is the difference for credit unions?
Credit unions use the term "dividend rate" instead of interest rate, but the concept is the same. APY includes the effect of compounding on the dividend rate. When comparing credit unions to banks, always use APY for an apples-to-apples comparison.
How does daily compounding affect APY compared to monthly?
Daily compounding produces a slightly higher APY than monthly compounding at the same nominal rate. For a 5% rate, daily compounding yields an APY of about 5.127%, while monthly yields about 5.116%. The difference is small ā about 0.01% ā but can matter on large balances over long periods.
Can APY change after I open a savings account?
Yes, for variable-rate accounts like savings and money market accounts, the APY can change when the Federal Reserve adjusts rates or when your bank changes its offerings. CDs typically have fixed APYs for the duration of the term. Always check whether your account has a variable or fixed rate.