Investment Return Calculator
Measure the net gain or loss and percentage return on an investment from initial cost, final value, optional cash income, and fees. This is a simple holding-period return — not an annualized rate such as CAGR.
Your results will appear here
Enter your assumptions and calculate to see the estimated result and supporting details.
How this calculator works
Enter initial investment, final value or proceeds, any additional cash income (dividends, interest, distributions), and fees or costs to include.
Primary results show net return percentage and dollar gain or loss. Secondary metrics include net proceeds and growth multiple.
Formula / methodology
net proceeds = final value + additional cash income − fees net gain = net proceeds − initial investment return = net gain ÷ initial investment multiple = net proceeds ÷ initial investment
- Return percentage uses initial investment as the denominator. Fees reduce net proceeds; they are not added to the basis.
- Negative returns and net proceeds below zero (when fees exceed proceeds) are allowed and shown with explicit gain/loss wording.
Worked example
Initial $10,000, final value $12,500, income $500, fees $100 → net proceeds $12,900, net gain $2,900, return 29.00%, multiple 1.29×.
A flat case (same initial and final value, no income or fees) yields 0% return and a 1.00× multiple.
Important assumptions
- Return is a simple holding-period return, not CAGR or an annualized rate.
- Additional income is cash received during the holding period as entered by the user.
- Fees are user-supplied costs included in net return; tax deductibility is not modeled.
- Historical or assumed returns do not predict future performance.
Common questions
No. Investment Return is a simple holding-period return. Use the CAGR calculator when you need an annualized rate between two values over years.
Investment Return divides by initial investment only. Capital Gains divides by simplified cost basis (purchase cost plus purchase fees). Dollar gain can match while percentages differ when purchase fees are present.
Yes, if fees push net proceeds below zero. Results remain finite as long as initial investment is greater than zero.
Only if you enter them. This calculator does not infer tax. Use After-Tax Return or Capital Gains with a user-supplied estimated tax rate for tax arithmetic.