Finance
CD and GIC Ladder Calculator
Project interest and maturity values for equal deposits spread across a certificate-of-deposit or GIC ladder. The calculator uses maturity value = principal × (1 + annual rate ÷ compounds)^(compounds × years). It returns more than one result so you can check the main answer against a useful secondary measure. A ladder trades some liquidity for scheduled maturities; reinvestment rates are unknown. Taxes, early-withdrawal penalties, deposit insurance limits, and compounding conventions differ by institution.
Educational scenario only. Confirm rates, fees, taxes, contract terms, and eligibility with the relevant institution or adviser.
Calculate and compare
Use the number box for precision or the slider for fast scenario testing.
Scenario results
Deposit per rung
$10,000
Equal allocation across the ladder.
Projected maturity value
$56,649.78
If the average rate and term apply.
Projected interest
$6,649.78
Before tax and penalties.
How the calculation works
Use consistent units and retain full precision until the final display step.
Worked example
Reproduce the displayed scenario, then change one assumption at a time.
Assumptions behind the result
- • Inputs use the units shown beside each control.
- • The displayed formula is applied without hidden market or demographic data.
- • Rounding occurs only for display; calculations keep full numeric precision.
- • A ladder trades some liquidity for scheduled maturities; reinvestment rates are unknown.
- • Taxes, early-withdrawal penalties, deposit insurance limits, and compounding conventions differ by institution.
Mistakes that change the answer
- • Mixing percentages with decimals or mixing incompatible units.
- • Relying on a rounded intermediate value instead of the full result.
- • Changing several assumptions at once instead of testing total deposit separately.