This calculator is descriptive, not a forecast or investment recommendation. Include any fees, taxes or other costs in the initial or final figure when they belong in your comparison. Everything runs locally in your browser, so the amounts are not uploaded.
Private browser utility / Calculators
Free ROI Calculator
Runs entirely in your browser - no upload, no sign-up.
Add a period to convert the total return into a compounded yearly rate.
Ready to calculate ROI
Enter the initial cost and final value to see the gain or loss, total ROI and break-even position.
What does an ROI calculator show?
An ROI calculator compares a final value or total return with its initial cost. It shows the absolute gain or loss, return on investment percentage and break-even position. Add a holding period to express the same start-to-finish change as a compounded annualized ROI, with the assumptions shown beside the result.
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How to use
- 01Enter the starting cost
Type the initial investment or total cost, using either common comma or dot number formatting.
- 02Enter the ending value
Add the final value, proceeds or total return measured on the same basis as the starting cost.
- 03Add time if useful
Optionally enter a holding period in months or years to calculate a compounded annualized ROI.
- 04Read the comparison
Review the gain or loss, total ROI, return multiple and distance above or below break-even, then copy the breakdown if needed.
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Who it's for
- Small business owners checking whether equipment, software or a project returned more value than it cost.
- Marketing teams comparing campaign cost with the value or profit they choose to attribute to that campaign.
- Freelancers and creators reviewing the gain or loss from a course, product launch or work setup.
- Students and analysts checking an ROI formula, worked example and break-even result.
- Investors describing a simple start-to-finish return before considering cash-flow timing, risk, fees or taxes separately.
FAQ
Is this ROI calculator free?
Yes. The calculator is free to use, has no sign-up and does not place a paywall on repeated calculations. Enter an initial cost and final value as often as needed, within the numeric limits shown by the validation, and add a holding period only when annualization is useful.
Is my ROI data uploaded?
No. The calculation runs locally in your browser, so the amounts and holding period you enter are not uploaded. The page does not need an account. You can also clear every input and result with the Clear button when you finish a calculation.
What are the limits of this ROI calculator?
The calculator accepts non-negative values up to 999,999,999,999,999 and a holding period up to 1,000 years. It models one initial cost and one final value. It does not time intermediate cash flows or automatically add fees, taxes, inflation, financing or risk.
How do I calculate ROI?
Subtract the initial cost from the final value to find the gain or loss. Divide that difference by the initial cost, then multiply by 100. For example, a 12,500 final value on a 10,000 cost produces a 2,500 gain and a 25% ROI.
What is a good ROI?
There is no universal good ROI. A useful comparison depends on the time period, risk, financing, taxes, fees and realistic alternatives. This calculator reports the arithmetic only. It does not judge whether a result is suitable or recommend an investment, project or campaign.
What does break-even mean in an ROI calculation?
Break-even means the final value equals the initial cost. The gain or loss and ROI are both zero. When the final value is below cost, the calculator shows how much more value is needed to break even; when it is above cost, it shows the excess.
How is annualized ROI calculated?
Annualized ROI uses the compounded formula (final value divided by initial cost) raised to one divided by the number of years, minus one. It makes different holding periods easier to compare, but it assumes one starting value and one ending value without intermediate deposits or withdrawals.
Can ROI be negative?
Yes. ROI is negative when the final value is lower than the initial cost. A final value of 800 on a cost of 1,000 creates a 200 loss and a -20% ROI. A final value of zero represents a complete loss and a -100% ROI.