Real Return Calculator
Your return after inflation, tax and fees.
Enter your values
Enter the nominal annual return in %.
Enter the inflation rate in %.
Enter the fund and platform fees in %.
Enter the tax on returns in %.
Enter the amount invested in $.
Enter the years held you are working with.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Real return after everything
- 3.19%
- After fees
- 7.4%
- After fees and tax
- 6.29%
- Naive subtraction estimate
- 3.29%
- Real value in 10 years
- $68,473.39
- Nominal value in 10 years
- $107,946.25
Quick answer
Real return = (1 + nominal) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1, applied after fees and tax — the simple subtraction overstates the result.
Real = (1 + nominal) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1
At a glance
| What it does | Your return after inflation, tax and fees. |
|---|---|
| Category | Finance |
| Inputs needed | Nominal annual return, Inflation rate, Fund and platform fees, Tax on returns, Amount invested, Years held |
| Main output | Real return after everything |
| Formula | Real = (1 + nominal) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1 |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Real Return Calculator
- 1Enter the headline return your investment quotes.
- 2Enter inflation, total fees and the tax rate you pay on gains.
- 3Compare the real value with the nominal value over your holding period.
Inputs explained
- Nominal annual return(%)
- Enter the nominal annual return in %.
- Inflation rate(%)
- Enter the inflation rate in %.
- Fund and platform fees(%)
- Enter the fund and platform fees in %.
- Tax on returns(%)
- Enter the tax on returns in %.
- Amount invested($)
- Enter the amount invested in $.
- Years held
- Enter the years held you are working with.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Nominal annual return8 %
- Inflation rate3 %
- Fund and platform fees0.6 %
- Tax on returns15 %
- Amount invested50000 $
- Years held10
Results
- Real return after everything3.19%
- After fees7.4%
- After fees and tax6.29%
- Naive subtraction estimate3.29%
- Real value in 10 years$68,473.39
- Nominal value in 10 years$107,946.25
Frequently asked questions
Why not just subtract inflation?
Subtraction is a good approximation at low rates but overstates the real return; the ratio formula is exact and diverges as rates rise.
Do fees really matter?
Enormously. A 1% annual fee on a 7% return removes roughly a quarter of your real gains over 30 years.
What do I need to enter into the Real Return Calculator?
Just 6 values: nominal annual return, inflation rate, fund and platform fees, tax on returns, amount invested, years held. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Real Return Calculator work out the answer?
Real return = (1 + nominal) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1, applied after fees and tax — the simple subtraction overstates the result. It applies the formula Real = (1 + nominal) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1 and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Real Return Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.