CD Ladder Calculator

Plan a CD (certificate of deposit) or fixed-deposit ladder and see each rung's maturity value.

Total to invest	$25,000
APY for each rung, shortest first (%)	4.2, 4.0, 3.9, 3.8, 3.8
Years between rungs	1 years

Total to invest

APY for each rung, shortest first (%)

Years between rungs

years

Interest if held to maturity

$3,056

5 CDs of $5,000 maturing every 1 year. Time-weighted average APY 3.87%. As each matures, reinvest it in a new 5-year CD to keep the ladder.

Each rung at maturity

Rung 1: 1 yr at 4.2%$5,210.00
Rung 2: 2 yr at 4%$5,408.00
Rung 3: 3 yr at 3.9%$5,608.11
Rung 4: 4 yr at 3.8%$5,804.43
Rung 5: 5 yr at 3.8%$6,025.00

Rungs

Rung	Term	APY	Value at maturity
1	1 yr	4.2%	$5,210.00
2	2 yr	4%	$5,408.00
3	3 yr	3.9%	$5,608.11
4	4 yr	3.8%	$5,804.43
5	5 yr	3.8%	$6,025.00

About the CD Ladder Calculator

Enter the total to invest, the APYs you're offered for each term and the gap between rungs. The calculator splits the money evenly and gives the interest earned and the average APY.

A ladder splits savings across deposits with staggered terms, so part of your money becomes available regularly while the rest earns longer-term rates. When the shortest rung matures, you reinvest it at the longest term. Enter the APYs you're offered today; rates change, and early withdrawal usually costs interest.

The formula

Each rung: FV = amount × (1 + APY)^term

Worked example

25,000 across 1- to 5-year CDs at 4.2%, 4.0%, 3.9%, 3.8% and 3.8%

5 rungs of 5,000, one maturing each year
Interest if all are held to maturity: about 3,056
Time-weighted average APY 3.87%

Questions people ask

Why ladder instead of one long CD?

You keep access to some cash each year and reduce the risk of locking in at a low rate.

Are CDs insured?

In the US, up to $250,000 per depositor per bank by the FDIC (NCUA at credit unions).