Finance

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Net Present Value Calculator.

Discount a sequence of cash flows to today using an explicit discount rate and period frequency.

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Net present value: -$210.37

Net present value

$0.00
Positive NPV means discounted inflows exceed discounted outflows under the entered assumptions.

FAQs

What does a positive NPV indicate?

At the entered discount rate and period spacing, discounted inflows exceed discounted outflows. It is not a guarantee of investment performance.

Use Cases

Evaluate Investment Projects

Compare the present value of expected cash inflows against the initial outlay to decide if a project adds value.

Example: Enter -5000, 2000, 2000, 2000 with a 10% discount rate and 1 period per year.

Compare Financing Options

Assess different loan or lease options by discounting their cash flows to see which has a lower present cost.

Example: Compare two leases with different payment schedules using the same discount rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Net Present Value (NPV)?
Net Present Value (NPV) is the sum of the present values of all cash flows in a series, discounted back to today using a specified discount rate. It helps assess the profitability of an investment or project.
How do I enter cash flows?
Enter cash flows in chronological order, starting with the initial investment at t=0 (usually a negative number). Separate each cash flow with commas, spaces, or new lines. For example: -1000, 300, 400, 500.
What does 'periods per year' mean?
Periods per year indicates how often cash flows occur within a year. For annual cash flows, use 1. For quarterly, use 4; for monthly, use 12. This affects how the discount rate is applied per period.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

  • Use a negative number for the initial investment (cash outflow) at t=0 to get an accurate NPV.
  • Ensure the discount rate is entered as a percentage (e.g., 8 for 8%), not as a decimal.
  • Match the periods per year to the frequency of your cash flows (e.g., 12 for monthly) for correct discounting.
  • Double-check that cash flows are in the correct order and include all periods, even if some are zero.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to include the initial investment as a negative cash flow, which overstates NPV.
  • Using an annual discount rate but entering cash flows more frequently without adjusting periods per year.
  • Entering cash flows as positive numbers when they are actually outflows, leading to incorrect NPV.

Last updated: August 13, 2026