About the EE Savings Bond Calculator
This savings bond calculator estimates how much an electronic Series EE US savings bond is worth after any number of years. Enter the amount you paid, the fixed rate the bond was issued with and how long you have held it (or plan to). You get the cash-in value, the interest earned, the estimated federal tax on that interest and the effective yield — including the one-time adjustment that doubles your bond at 20 years.
It is for anyone holding EE bonds or weighing them against I bonds, CDs and Treasury bills — parents saving for college, grandparents gifting bonds and long-term savers. Because the Treasury guarantees an EE bond will be worth at least twice its price after 20 years, an EE bond held for exactly 20 years earns about 3.5% a year even when its stated rate is lower; this tool shows whether that guarantee or the stated rate wins.
EE bonds bought since May 2005 earn a fixed rate set at purchase (TreasuryDirect announces new rates each May and November). Bonds issued from 1 May to 31 October 2026 earn 2.40%, which is the default here; if your bond was issued at another time, enter its own rate. Interest accrues monthly and compounds semiannually for 30 years. You cannot cash a bond in the first 12 months, and cashing before 5 years costs the last 3 months of interest — both rules are built in. Paper EE bonds bought at half face value and older variable-rate bonds follow different rules; use TreasuryDirect's savings bond calculator for those.
With the default inputs, the cash-in value is $2,000.00. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the ee savings bond calculator
- 1Enter the amount you paid for the electronic EE bond.
- 2Enter the fixed rate shown for the bond in TreasuryDirect.
- 3Enter how many years you have held it or plan to hold it.
- 4Read the cash-in value, interest and after-tax interest.
- 5Check the 20-year guaranteed value before deciding to cash in early.
Formula and method
Series EE bonds earn their fixed rate compounded semiannually, with interest added to the value monthly. The calculator applies (1 + r/2) for every six months held, pro-rated monthly. At 20 years, Treasury makes a one-time adjustment so the bond is worth at least double its purchase price; afterwards the bond keeps earning its fixed rate on the adjusted value until it stops earning interest at 30 years.
Bonds cannot be redeemed in the first year. If you cash in before five years you lose the last three months of interest, so the calculator values the bond as if it had been held three months less. Effective yield annualises the growth from purchase price to cash-in value. Figures are estimates; TreasuryDirect shows the exact current value of your bonds.
- P
- Purchase price (face value for electronic bonds)
- r
- Fixed annual rate (decimal)
- m
- Months held
- V
- Bond value
Worked examples
$1,000 EE bond at 2.40% held 20 years
At 2.40% (the rate for bonds issued May–October 2026) compounded semiannually, $1,000 would grow to only about $1,611 in 20 years, so Treasury's guarantee lifts it to $2,000. That is $1,000 of interest ($780 after 22% federal tax) and an effective yield of about 3.53% a year.
$5,000 at 2.7% cashed in after 10 years
After 20 semiannual periods at 1.35%, $5,000 grows to about $6,538, earning $1,538. The yield matches the bond's own rate because the 20-year doubling guarantee does not apply yet.
Cashing in early: $1,000 at 2.40% after 3 years
Redeeming before five years costs three months of interest, so the bond is valued at 33 months: 1,000 × 1.012^5.5 ≈ $1,067.81.
$10,000 held to final maturity at 30 years
The bond doubles to $20,000 at 20 years, then earns 2.40% on that value for 10 more years, reaching about $25,389 when it stops earning interest at 30 years.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a $1,000 EE savings bond worth?+
An electronic EE bond bought for $1,000 is guaranteed to be worth at least $2,000 after 20 years. Before then its value depends on its fixed rate; at 2.40% it is worth about $1,269 after 10 years.
Do EE bonds really double in 20 years?+
Yes. For EE bonds issued since June 2003, Treasury guarantees the bond will be worth twice its purchase price at 20 years, making a one-time adjustment if the fixed rate has not doubled it by then. That works out to about 3.5% a year.
When can I cash in an EE bond?+
After 12 months. If you cash it in before five years you lose the last three months of interest. EE bonds stop earning interest after 30 years, so there is no benefit to holding them longer.
Are savings bonds taxable?+
Interest is subject to federal income tax but exempt from state and local income tax. You can report it each year or defer it until you cash the bond or it matures. It may be tax-free if used for qualified higher-education expenses and your income is within IRS limits.
EE bonds vs I bonds: which is better?+
I bonds pay a fixed rate plus an inflation rate that resets every six months, so they protect against inflation. EE bonds pay a fixed rate but double in value at 20 years. If you will hold for exactly 20 years, EE bonds lock in about 3.5%; for shorter periods, I bonds usually pay more when inflation is high.
How much can I invest in EE bonds each year?+
You can buy up to $10,000 of electronic EE bonds per person per calendar year through TreasuryDirect, in amounts from $25 to the penny. Paper EE bonds are no longer sold.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.