IRR Calculator

Calculate internal rate of return for investments.

Formula & Methodology

IRR is the discount rate r that makes the net present value of a cash-flow series equal to zero: Σ CF_t / (1+r)^t = 0.

Worked Example

Investing $10,000 that returns $3,500/year for 4 years has an IRR of about 14.9%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IRR?

Internal Rate of Return is the annualized rate at which an investment's cash flows break even, useful for comparing projects of different sizes and timelines.

How is IRR different from ROI?

ROI measures total growth without timing, while IRR accounts for when each cash flow occurs and annualizes the return.

Can IRR be misleading?

Yes. IRR assumes reinvestment at the same rate and can favor short projects. Compare against the net present value at your required return.

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