Accounting Share · Interest, loans & valuation
Internal Rate of Return Calculator
Solve numerically for the periodic return on conventional cash flows: one initial outflow followed by nonnegative future inflows.
The interactive calculator requires JavaScript. The formula and worked example below remain available.
01 / Enter your figures
Make the numbers yours.
Use one currency and consistent time periods. Amounts are shown in your input currency units; no currency conversion is performed.
02 / See the working
Your calculation
Enter your figures, then choose Calculate. Or load the worked example.
03 / Understand the method
Formula and method
IRR is the periodic rate at which NPV equals zero
Solve numerically for the periodic return on conventional cash flows: one initial outflow followed by nonnegative future inflows.
How to use this calculator
- Collect the figures for the same entity, currency and reporting period.
- Enter each input using its label and unit. For percentages, enter 15 to mean 15%.
- Choose Calculate, inspect the breakdown and compare the result with your assumptions.
- Change one input to explore a scenario. Recalculate after edits; display rounding does not round the underlying calculation.
Inputs at a glance
- Initial investment at time zero: A nonnegative numeric input in the units specified by the label.
- Nonnegative cash inflows at each period end: Conventional cash flows only: initial outflow followed by nonnegative inflows.
Worked example
Follow one calculation.
- Initial investment at time zero
- 10000
- Nonnegative cash inflows at each period end
- 6000,6000
- Calculated result
- 13.0662%
Load this example in the interactive form to inspect the intermediate amounts.
Assumptions and interpretation
This restriction avoids the multiple-IRR problem from changing signs. IRR is not a project ranking rule and is not automatically annualised.
The output is a model based on the figures entered. Check source records and use the accounting or contractual definitions relevant to your task before relying on a result.
Questions about this tool
What does the internal rate of return calculation measure?
Solve numerically for the periodic return on conventional cash flows: one initial outflow followed by nonnegative future inflows.
Which assumptions can change the result?
This restriction avoids the multiple-IRR problem from changing signs. IRR is not a project ranking rule and is not automatically annualised.
Why can displayed totals differ slightly from my spreadsheet?
Calculations use the unrounded input values. Only the display is rounded. Use four or six decimal places to inspect small differences, and check the timing, sign conventions and rounding policy in your spreadsheet.
Reference and further learning
Time value of money and loans. These original learning examples apply the displayed formula; the reference does not certify or endorse this calculator.
Look up an accounting term · Practise with accounting questions
Formula and worked example checked 4 November 2026. Calculations run in your browser without sending the entered figures to Accounting Share. Report a calculation issue with the tool name, example inputs and expected result; avoid sharing confidential records.
