Dollar Return Calculator
Enter the initial and final values plus dividends to see the dollar return.
Dollar return
β
Enter values above
Total return (%)
β
Annualised return (CAGR)
β
Return per year ($)
β
Capital gain
β
Dividends as % of return
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Worked example
With the default inputs shown below, this calculator returns the following results:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Initial investment ($) | 10000 |
| Final value ($) | 13000 |
| Dividends received ($) | 600 |
| Years held | 3 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Dollar return | $3,600.00 |
| Total return (%) | 36.00% |
| Annualised return (CAGR) | 10.79% |
| Return per year ($) | $1,200.00 |
| Capital gain | $3,000.00 |
| Dividends as % of return | 16.67% |
Values shown are produced by this page in your browser; change any input to update them.
How to use the Dollar Return Calculator
- Initial investment ($) β default 10000
- Final value ($) β default 13000
- Dividends received ($) β default 600
- Years held β default 3
- Press Calculate to update the results instantly.
Frequently asked questions
Dollar return is the money you actually made; percentage return expresses it relative to what you invested. A $3,600 gain is excellent on $10,000 and disappointing on $1,000,000.
Yes β total return includes both price change and income. Excluding dividends understates the return of income-producing investments such as mature companies and REITs.
Because it makes different holding periods comparable. A 36% total return is 10.8% a year over three years but only 5.1% a year over six.