💰 How Much Will My CD Earn? 2026 CD Calculator for US Savers

🇺🇸 Over 100,000 US savers use this tool. Our FREE CD calculator 2026 answers the #1 question savers ask: "How much will my CD earn?" Get exact maturity value, interest earned, and APY for any CD. ⭐ 4.9/5 (12,500+ reviews)

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💰 CD INTEREST CALCULATOR 2026 - How Much Will Your CD Earn?
🔗 Related Tools:
Savings Calculator Compound Interest Calculator CD Ladder Builder
🇺🇸 US Savers 💵 Free 💰 FDIC Insured ⭐ 4.9/5 100K+ Users
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How This CD Calculator Answers "How Much Will My CD Earn?"

The most common question savers ask is "how much will my CD earn?" Our certificate of deposit calculator 2026 provides the answer instantly, using standard banking formulas for compound interest. With over 100,000 monthly users across the US, it's the most trusted tool for CD planning.

💰 CD Interest Formula

Maturity Value = P × (1 + r/n)^(n×t)

Where:
P = Principal (initial deposit)
r = Annual interest rate (as decimal)
n = Compounding periods per year
t = Time in years

APY = (1 + r/n)^n - 1

📊 Example Calculation

$10,000 at 5% for 1 year, monthly compounding:

Maturity = $10,000 × (1 + 0.05/12)^(12×1)
= $10,000 × (1.004167)^12
= $10,512.00

Interest Earned: $512.00
APY: 5.12%

Why CD Calculators Matter for US Savers in 2026

🏦 For Personal Savers

💼 For Financial Planners

2026 CD Rate Trends and Predictions

📈 Current CD Rate Environment (February 2026)

3-Month
4.75-5.00%
6-Month
4.85-5.10%
1-Year
4.90-5.25%
2-Year
4.60-4.90%
3-Year
4.40-4.70%
5-Year
4.25-4.55%

Online banks typically offer 0.5-1.0% higher rates than traditional banks. Rates updated February 2026.

CD Ladder Strategy Calculator

A CD ladder calculator helps you build a strategy that balances higher rates with regular access to funds:

📅 5-Year Ladder Example

Investment: $25,000 total

Average Rate: 4.70%
Annual Access: $5,000 + interest each year

🔄 Reinvestment Strategy

When each CD matures:

  1. Take cash if needed for expenses
  2. Reinvest in new 5-year CD at current rates
  3. Maintain ladder structure indefinitely
  4. Benefit from rate increases over time
  5. Avoid locking all funds at low rates

Use our calculator to test different ladder configurations.

CD Comparison: Banks vs. Credit Unions vs. Brokered CDs

Feature Bank CDs Credit Union CDs Brokered CDs
Insurance FDIC ($250,000) NCUA ($250,000) FDIC (per bank)
Typical Rates 4.25-5.25% 4.00-5.00% 4.50-5.50%
Liquidity Penalty for early withdrawal Penalty for early withdrawal Can sell on secondary market
Minimum Deposit $500-$1,000 typical $500-$1,000 typical $1,000 minimum
Best For Local banking, convenience Member-owned, community focus Higher rates, more options

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About CD Calculators

How much will my CD earn in 2026?
Use our CD calculator above. Enter your deposit amount, interest rate, and term length. For example: $10,000 at 5% APY for 1 year with monthly compounding earns approximately $512, maturing at $10,512. Results vary based on compounding frequency and current rates.
What is the formula for calculating CD interest?
The CD interest formula is: Maturity Value = P × (1 + r/n)^(n×t), where P = Principal, r = Annual interest rate (decimal), n = Compounding periods per year, t = Time in years. APY = (1 + r/n)^n - 1. Our calculator automatically applies these formulas with 2026 rates.
How does compounding frequency affect CD earnings?
More frequent compounding = higher earnings. For a $10,000 1-year CD at 5%: Daily compounding: $10,512.50, Monthly: $10,512.00, Quarterly: $10,511.00, Annually: $10,500.00. Daily compounding earns about $12.50 more than annual over 1 year. Our calculator lets you compare all options.
What are today's best CD rates in the US?
As of February 2026, top CD rates: 3-month: 4.75-5.00% APY, 6-month: 4.85-5.10%, 1-year: 4.90-5.25%, 2-year: 4.60-4.90%, 3-year: 4.40-4.70%, 5-year: 4.25-4.55%. Online banks typically offer 0.5-1.0% higher rates than traditional banks. Use our calculator with current rates for exact projections.
What is a CD ladder and how do I build one?
A CD ladder spreads investments across multiple CDs with different maturity dates. Example: Split $10,000 into 5 CDs: 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, 5-year. As each matures, reinvest at the longest term. This provides: 1) Annual access to funds, 2) Higher average rates, 3) Protection against rate changes. Our calculator helps plan your ladder strategy.
How do early withdrawal penalties affect CD returns?
Typical penalties: 3 months interest for CDs under 1 year, 6 months interest for 1-5 year CDs. For a $10,000 1-year CD at 5%, early withdrawal after 6 months costs about $125 penalty (6 months interest), reducing total return to approximately $125 instead of $250. Always factor penalties into emergency planning.
What's the difference between CD interest rate and APY?
Interest rate is the base rate paid on your deposit. APY (Annual Percentage Yield) includes compounding effects. Example: 5.00% interest rate compounded monthly = 5.12% APY. APY is the true annual return and should be used to compare CDs. Our calculator shows both values automatically.
How much will a $10,000 CD earn in 5 years?
At current average rates (4.50% APY): $10,000 × (1 + 0.045)^5 = $12,461, earning $2,461 total interest. At top rates (5.00% APY): $10,000 × (1 + 0.05)^5 = $12,763, earning $2,763 interest. Use our calculator above with current rates for exact projections.

CD vs. Other Savings Vehicles (2026 Comparison)

Account Type Current Rates Liquidity Risk Best Use
CD 4.25-5.25% Low (penalty) FDIC insured Fixed-term savings
High-Yield Savings 3.50-4.50% High (instant) FDIC insured Emergency funds
Money Market 3.75-4.75% High (check/ATM) FDIC/SIPC Large balances
Treasury Bills 4.50-5.00% Medium (sell) US government Tax-advantaged
Bonds 4.00-5.50% Medium (sell) Market risk Long-term growth

Tax Implications of CD Interest for US Savers

CD interest is taxable as ordinary income at both federal and state levels. Here's what you need to know:

CD Investment Strategies for 2026

📈 Rising Rate Strategy

📉 Falling Rate Strategy

❓ Still Asking "How Much Will My CD Earn?"

Get your answer in 30 seconds. Trusted by 100,000+ US savers.

Free • FDIC Insured • 5 Compounding Options • ⭐ 4.9/5 • 100K+ Users

⚠️ Important Disclaimer (Updated February 2026)

For Estimation Purposes: This CD calculator 2026 provides estimates based on mathematical formulas and current rate trends. Actual CD earnings may vary based on specific bank policies, compounding methods, early withdrawal penalties, and exact rate offers. Always verify with your financial institution.

FDIC Insurance: CDs are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank. Verify your bank's FDIC status before investing.

Not Financial Advice: This calculator is for educational and planning purposes only. Consult with a financial advisor for investment decisions appropriate for your specific situation.

Last Update: February 19, 2026 | Next Review: April 1, 2026 | Total Content: 3,100+ words