Certificate of Deposit (CD) Ladder Calculator

A CD ladder is a strategy where you split your investment across multiple Certificates of Deposit with different maturity dates. As each CD matures, you reinvest in a new long-term CD. This balances higher yields from longer terms with regular access to your money. Our calculator shows the projected value of your CD ladder at maturity.

How to Use This Tool

Enter the total amount you want to invest across all CDs.
Enter how many CDs you want in your ladder (e.g., 5 = one each at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years).
Enter the average APY you expect across all CDs.
Enter the total length of your ladder in years.
Click Calculate to see your projected total value and interest earned.

The Formula

CD future value uses compound interest: A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) where P is principal per CD, r is annual APY, n is compounding frequency (12 for monthly), and t is the term in years. Each CD compounds for a different number of years, then they are summed.

Why It Matters

You have $50,000 from an inheritance and want safe growth with regular access to your money. Instead of one 5-year CD, you split it across five $10,000 CDs maturing at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Each year a CD matures and you reinvest it at the longest term — building a ladder that balances higher yields with annual liquidity.