CD Ladder Calculator
Plan a classic CD ladder. Split a lump sum across rungs of 1, 2, 3… year terms so a CD matures every year — keeping you liquid while earning long-term rates.
Per rung
$5,000
Total interest
$3,671
Total at final maturity
$28,671
| Rung | Deposit | Interest | Maturity value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,000 | +$230 | $5,230 |
| Year 2 | $5,000 | +$471 | $5,471 |
| Year 3 | $5,000 | +$723 | $5,723 |
| Year 4 | $5,000 | +$986 | $5,986 |
| Year 5 | $5,000 | +$1,262 | $6,262 |
How the ladder math works
Per rung: A = (Total/N) × (1 + r/n)^(n·t)
Each rung gets an equal slice of the total deposit. Each slice compounds at the chosen APY for its term length. Longer rungs earn more total interest because they compound longer.
Worked example
Deposit $25,000 across 5 rungs (1–5 years) at 4.5% APY. After year 5 the total interest is roughly $3,671. Find the best rates on our CD page.