Portfolio Return Calculator
Calculate the total percentage and dollar return on an investment portfolio, including any contributions made during the period.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Investment gain
- ending value − starting value − net contributions
- Return %
- investment gain ÷ starting value × 100
Worked example
Your portfolio starts the year at $50,000, ends at $58,000, and you added $3,000 of new contributions. The investment gain is $5,000, a return of about 10% on your starting balance.
Assumptions
- This is a simplified money-weighted approximation, not a precise time-weighted return.
- Assumes contributions were roughly evenly timed through the period.
- Use negative contributions to represent net withdrawals.
How this calculator works
Compare your portfolio's starting value, ending value and any extra contributions to estimate your total dollar gain and percentage return over the period. This simple approach approximates performance without needing a full time-weighted return calculation.
Frequently asked questions
Why subtract contributions from the gain?
New money added is not investment growth, so it is removed from the gain calculation to isolate the return from market performance.
Does this handle withdrawals?
Enter withdrawals as a negative contribution amount to reduce the adjustment correctly.
Is this the same as a time-weighted return?
No, it is a simplified money-weighted approximation; for precise performance reporting a full time-weighted calculation is more accurate.
Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.