What is the Rule of 72?
The Rule of 72 is a simplified formula that calculates how long it'll take for an investment to double in value, based on its rate of return. You simply divide 72 by the annual interest rate.
Quickly calculate how many years it will take to double your investment using the famous Rule of 72 shortcut. Fast, free, browser-based & 100% private.
The Rule of 72 is a simplified formula that calculates how long it'll take for an investment to double in value, based on its rate of return. You simply divide 72 by the annual interest rate.
It is an approximation. It is highly accurate for interest rates between 6% and 10%. For extremely high or low interest rates, the exact logarithmic formula is more precise, but 72 remains a fantastic mental shortcut.
The number 72 is used because it has many small divisors (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12), making it much easier to do mental math with typical interest rates than a number like 69.3 (which is the actual natural log value).
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