What is the present value of an annuity?
The present value of an annuity is the lump sum today that equals a series of equal future payments discounted at a given interest rate. Investors, retirees, and lenders use this calculation to compare fixed payment streams against a single upfront amount. All math runs in your browser.
For a single future cash flow rather than a series, use the present value calculator. When payments continue forever, the perpetuity calculator applies the simplified infinite-horizon formula. For printable discount factors, see the present value annuity factor table.
Ordinary annuity formula
An ordinary annuity pays at the end of each period. With payment PMT, periodic rate i, and n payments:
An annuity due pays at the beginning of each period. Multiply the ordinary annuity result by (1 + i):
Growing annuity and perpetuity
When payments grow at rate g each period and g is less than the discount rate i:
For a perpetuity (infinite payments), enter P or perpetuity as the number of periods. The formula simplifies to:
With payment growth g, the growing perpetuity formula is PV = PMT / (i - g), provided g is strictly less than i.
Worked example: ordinary annuity
You receive $1,000 at the end of each year for 10 years. The annual discount rate is 5%.
- Periodic rate i = 5% = 0.05
- Number of payments n = 10
- PV = $1,000 × (1 - 1.05-10) / 0.05 = $1,000 × 7.7217 = $7,721.73
If the same payments occur at the beginning of each year (annuity due), multiply by 1.05 to get $8,107.82.
Compounding frequency
When interest compounds more than once per period, the calculator converts the nominal annual rate into an effective periodic rate before discounting. Select annual, semi-annual, quarterly, monthly, weekly, daily, or continuous compounding to match your loan, bond, or investment convention.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an ordinary annuity and an annuity due?
How do I calculate present value of a perpetuity?
What happens when the growth rate equals the discount rate?
How does compounding frequency affect present value?
When would I use a growing annuity?
Are results stored on a server?
Resources and references
The formulas and methods in this calculator were checked against these independent sources.