What is a Compound Interest?
Definition
Compound interest is interest calculated on the initial principal plus all accumulated interest from previous periods. Unlike simple interest, compound interest allows your money to grow exponentially over time because you earn interest on your interest. This makes it a powerful tool for wealth building.
Common Uses
- › Retirement savings growth
- › Investment returns
- › Savings account growth
- › Debt accumulation (negative effect)
- › Understanding the time value of money
Key Facts
- CategoryFinance
- A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt)
- A = final amount
- P = principal
- r = annual interest rate
- n = compounding periods per year
- t = time in years
About the Compound Interest
Compound interest is interest calculated on the initial principal plus all accumulated interest from previous periods. Unlike simple interest, compound interest allows your money to grow exponentially over time because you earn interest on your interest. This makes it a powerful tool for wealth building.
Equivalents and conversions
- A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt)
- A = final amount
- P = principal
- r = annual interest rate
- n = compounding periods per year
- t = time in years