Net present value of an initial outlay and a series of future cash flows.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the NPV Calculator – Net Present Value?
Net present value of an initial outlay and a series of future cash flows. To use the NPV Calculator – Net Present Value, enter initial investment, cash flows by year, discount rate; it returns net present value, pv of inflows, profitability index, and shows them instantly as you type.
Time value of money
A dollar today is worth more than a dollar in the future. The present value calculator and the future value calculator translate money across time, and the finance calculator solves any related unknown. Remember that investment returns are never guaranteed.
How to use the NPV Calculator – Net Present Value
- Fill in the fields. You will need Initial investment ($), Cash flows by year (comma separated), Discount rate (%). Use a rate of return you consider realistic; small changes compound into large differences. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Net present value, and the cards below show PV of inflows, Profitability index. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the NPV Calculator – Net Present Value using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Initial investment ($) | 60,000 |
|---|---|
| Cash flows by year (comma separated) | 18000, 22000, 25000, 25000, 20000 |
| Discount rate (%) | 9 |
Results
| Net present value | $25,044.57 |
|---|---|
| PV of inflows | $85,044.57 |
| Profitability index | 1.42 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Net present value: $25,044.57. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Initial investment ($) from 60,000 to 72,000 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net present value | $25,044.57 | $13,044.57 | -47.9% |
| PV of inflows | $85,044.57 | $85,044.57 | 0% |
| Profitability index | 1.42 | 1.18 | -16.7% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the NPV Calculator – Net Present Value reports Net present value, pv of inflows and profitability index. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Investment returns are not guaranteed. The result shows what the numbers you enter would produce, not what the market will do. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
When is a project worth doing?
When NPV is positive, the project earns more than the discount rate.
Are investment returns guaranteed?
No. Real returns vary. Use these tools to compare scenarios, not to predict results.
What rate of return should I assume?
There is no guaranteed rate. Test a range of conservative and optimistic rates, and remember that fees and inflation reduce your real return.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
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