Savings & Banking
CD Ladder Calculator
A CD ladder solves the lock-up problem — you split your money across CDs that mature a year apart, so cash frees up regularly while longer rungs earn more. Enter your deposit, the number of rungs, and a rate to see the maturity value of each and the total interest.
One rate for all rungs. Real ladders often earn slightly more on longer terms.
Total value at full maturity
$56,454
If every rung is held to its maturity date.
- Total deposited
- $50,000
- Total interest earned
- $6,454
- Per rung
- $10,000
Each rung holds an equal share of the deposit.
Each rung
| Matures in (yrs) | Deposited | Interest | At maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10,000 | $407 | $10,407 |
| 2 | $10,000 | $831 | $10,831 |
| 3 | $10,000 | $1,273 | $11,273 |
| 4 | $10,000 | $1,732 | $11,732 |
| 5 | $10,000 | $2,210 | $12,210 |
How this calculator works
The deposit is divided equally across the rungs (any leftover cents go to the last rung). Each rung is a CD compounded monthly at your rate, held for 12, 24, … months. Maturity value = principal × (1 + rate/12)^months; totals sum the rungs exactly.
Assumes each rung is held to maturity with no early withdrawal and a single rate across terms. Real ladders reinvest maturing rungs at future rates you can't know today — treat this as the picture at one fixed rate.
Try an example
Frequently asked questions
What is a CD ladder?
A CD ladder splits your money across several CDs with staggered maturity dates — for example five equal CDs maturing at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Each year a rung matures, giving you access to cash (or a chance to reinvest at current rates) while the longer rungs keep earning higher long-term rates.
Why build a ladder instead of one big CD?
It balances yield against access. A single 5-year CD earns a good rate but locks everything up; a savings account stays liquid but pays less. A ladder captures longer-term rates on most of your money while still freeing up a portion every year — and it hedges against rates moving either way.
How does a ladder work at maturity?
The classic approach: when each rung matures, roll it into a new CD at the longest rung length (e.g. a fresh 5-year). After one full cycle, every rung is a 5-year CD but one still matures each year — you keep the high long-term rate with annual access.
Does every rung earn the same rate?
This calculator applies one rate to all rungs for simplicity, so longer rungs earn more only because they compound for longer. In practice the yield curve means different terms carry different rates — sometimes longer pays more, sometimes (an inverted curve) less. Check each term's actual APY when you build the ladder.
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Disclaimer: DayCents provides this calculator for educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on your inputs and the stated assumptions — they are not financial advice, a quote, or an offer of credit. Consult a qualified financial professional before making major money decisions.