acalculator

How much will my CD ladder earn?

Type the total you want to invest and each CD in the ladder, with its term and APY. The CD ladder calculator splits the money equally, works out what each CD is worth when it matures, and adds up the interest.

Your numbers

CDs in the ladder
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4
Row 5
Interest from the ladder
$2,978.82

$25,000.00 in a CD ladder earns $2,978.82 of interest by the time the last CD matures.

Total invested $25,000.00Interest from the ladder $2,978.82
89% total invested11% interest from the ladder
Total invested
$25,000.00
In each CD
$5,000.00
Balances at maturity
$27,978.82
Average APY
3.83%
First CD matures in
1
Last CD matures in
5
Each CD at maturity
1 yr at 4%: $5,200.00; 2 yr at 3.9%: $5,397.61; 3 yr at 3.8%: $5,591.93; 4 yr at 3.75%: $5,793.25; 5 yr at 3.7%: $5,996.03

Interest from the ladder: $2,978.82. $25,000.00 in a CD ladder earns $2,978.82 of interest by the time the last CD matures.

How much of the ladder is interest?

The results are estimates for information only. They are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Check the numbers with your lender or a qualified professional before you decide. Terms of use

How to calculate

Splits a sum equally across CDs with different terms and APYs, a CD ladder, and works out what each rung is worth at maturity, the total interest and when the money frees up.

Example with the default inputs (Total to invest $25,000.00, CDs in the ladder [Term (years) 1, APY 4%; Term (years) 2, APY 3.9%; Term (years) 3, APY 3.8%; Term (years) 4, APY 3.75%; Term (years) 5, APY 3.7%]): $25,000.00 in a CD ladder earns $2,978.82 of interest by the time the last CD matures.

Method: D = total ÷ number of CDs; each CD at maturity = D × (1 + APY)^term; interest = Σ balances − total; average APY = Σ APY ÷ number of CDs.

  • The total is split equally, and each CD is held to its maturity with interest left in the CD.
  • The interest is for the first round only. Rolling each maturing CD into a new CD, which keeps a ladder going, is not modelled.
  • No early withdrawal penalties or tax.

Machine-readable copies: Markdown, JSON.

Worked examples

Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.

  1. Total to invest $25,000.00, CDs in the ladder 1 4; 2 3.9; 3 3.8; 4 3.75; 5 3.7 gives In each CD $5,000.00, Balances at maturity $27,978.82, Interest from the ladder $2,978.82, Average APY 3.83%, First CD matures in 1, Last CD matures in 5.Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Regulation DD (Truth in Savings), 12 CFR 1030, Appendix A: annual percentage yield calculation, https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1030/a/ (retrieved 2026-10-03)
  2. Total to invest $10,000.00, CDs in the ladder 0.5 5; 1 4.5 gives In each CD $5,000.00, Balances at maturity $10,348.48, Average APY 4.75%, First CD matures in 0.5.Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Regulation DD (Truth in Savings), 12 CFR 1030, Appendix A: annual percentage yield calculation, https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1030/a/ (retrieved 2026-10-03)
  3. Total to invest $30,000.00, CDs in the ladder 1 0; 2 0; 3 0 gives In each CD $10,000.00, Balances at maturity $30,000.00, Interest from the ladder $0.00, Average APY 0%.Source: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, HelpWithMyBank, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/help-topics/bank-accounts/certificates-of-deposit/index-certificates-of-deposit.html (retrieved 2026-10-03)

How it works

With a total T and n CDs (1 to 10), each with a term tₖ in years and an APY aₖ:

  • In each CD D = T ÷ n (exact decimal).
  • Each CD at maturity: Bₖ = D × (1 + aₖ ÷ 100)^tₖ. The APY includes compounding, so part years use the same power.
  • Balances at maturity = Σ Bₖ; interest from the ladder = Σ Bₖ − T.
  • Average APY = Σ aₖ ÷ n (exact decimal).
  • First CD matures in = the shortest term; last CD matures in = the longest.
  • Each CD at maturity lists every CD, shortest first.

Rules

  • Total from $1 to $10¹⁰; terms from 0.08 to 10 years; APYs from 0% to 20%.

Assumptions

  • Equal amounts; each CD held to maturity; first round only; no penalties or tax.

Worked examples by hand

The default: $25,000 over 5 CDs. D = $5,000. 5,000 × 1.04 = 5,200; 5,000 × 1.039² = 5,397.61; 5,000 × 1.038³ = 5,591.93; 5,000 × 1.0375⁴ = 5,793.25; 5,000 × 1.037⁵ = 5,996.03. Sum = $27,978.82; interest = $2,978.82; average APY = 19.15 ÷ 5 = 3.83%.

$10,000 over a 6-month and a 1-year CD. D = $5,000. 5,000 × 1.05^0.5 = 5,123.48; 5,000 × 1.045 = 5,225. Sum = $10,348.48; average APY = 4.75%.

$30,000 over three CDs at 0%. Each returns its $10,000: interest $0.

Other questions people ask

What is a CD ladder?

It is one sum split across several certificates of deposit with different terms, for example 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years. Part of the money becomes available each year, and the longer CDs can lock in their rates.

How is each CD’s value worked out?

With the APY, which already includes compounding: balance = deposit × (1 + APY)^term. $5,000 in a 3-year CD at 3.8% APY grows to 5,000 × 1.038³ = $5,591.93.

How much does the default ladder earn?

$25,000 split into five $5,000 CDs at 4%, 3.9%, 3.8%, 3.75% and 3.7% for 1 to 5 years is worth $27,978.82 in all at maturity: $2,978.82 of interest.

Why is the average APY a plain average?

Each CD holds the same amount, so each APY counts equally. It describes the rates, not the return on the whole ladder, because the CDs run for different times.

What happens when a CD matures?

The money is yours to spend or to put into a new CD at the rate then on offer. Rolling into a new CD keeps the ladder going; this calculator shows only the first round.

Can I take money out before a CD matures?

Usually only with an early withdrawal penalty. Federal law sets a minimum penalty for the first six days and no maximum; see the CD early withdrawal penalty calculator.