CD Calculator — USA
Calculate your fixed-deposit maturity value and interest in USD at current rates. No signup, no account needed.
Enter a deposit amount, a rate between 0% and 100%, and a term above zero (up to 50 years) to see results.
Fixed deposit rates in USA (2026)
CD rates ≈ 4–5% p.a. for 1–5 year terms. Top providers: Marcus by Goldman, Ally Bank, Capital One 360.
At around 4.3%, the fixed-deposit rate in USA is around the typical range for developed-market deposits.
Reference figures, ~2026. FD interest is often taxable and rates vary by bank and tenure - verify the current rate before depositing.
Worked example
For every $20,000 deposited at 4.30% for 5 years (quarterly compounding):
- Maturity value: $24,769
- Interest earned: $4,769
Scale to your deposit amount. Longer tenures and higher rates grow the maturity value; compare banks before locking in.
How to get the best fixed-deposit return in USA
- Compare several banks - smaller and digital banks often pay more than the big high-street names.
- Ladder your deposits across different tenures so some matures regularly and you can reinvest at new rates.
- Check how often interest compounds; more frequent compounding grows the maturity value.
- Factor in tax on the interest, and compare against short-term government bills or bonds.
A real-data rate check: 12-month CD rates in the USA (2026)
Many online calculators default to a generic, round number like 5% or 3% for a 12-month Certificate of Deposit, but real published rates move with the Federal Reserve's target range and vary enormously by bank. As of September 16, 2026, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds target range to 3.75%-4.00% (FOMC statement, federalreserve.gov). Against that backdrop, Marcus by Goldman Sachs's own rate page lists 4.40% APY on its 12-month High-Yield CD (as of October 14, 2026). Other online banks such as Synchrony Bank publish their current 12-month CD APYs on their own rate pages.
The gap between online high-yield banks and traditional brick-and-mortar banks remains large: the FDIC's national rate for a 12-month CD was about 1.73% in September 2026 — a figure dragged down by big traditional banks like Chase and Bank of America, which typically pay well under 1% on standard CDs while online-only banks (Marcus, Ally, Discover, Synchrony, Capital One) compete aggressively for deposits by paying multiples of that average. This is why a single "default rate" for a calculator should reflect the competitive high-yield segment a rate-shopping saver is likely to actually open, not the artificially low national average, and not an unrealistically high pre-2023 or promotional teaser rate.
A more realistic example: using 4.3% APY (just below the 4.40% Marcus by Goldman Sachs publishes on its 12-month CD) on the standard compound interest formula A = P(1+r/n)^(nt): a $10,000 deposit for 1 year at 4.3% APY (n=1, since APY is already an effective annual yield) grows to 10,000 × (1.043)^1 = $10,430.00 — that is $430 in interest. Extending the same $10,000 CD for 3 years at the same rate (assuming renewal at a comparable rate each year) gives 10,000 × (1.043)^3 ≈ $11,346.27, or roughly $1,346 in total interest — noticeably different from what a stale, unsourced default rate would project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is FD maturity calculated in USA?
Maturity = P × (1 + r/4)^(4n) for quarterly compounding, where P is the deposit, r the annual rate and n the years. fin·calc uses this standard method.
What is the current FD rate in USA?
As a 2026 reference, fixed-deposit rates are around 4.3% per year, varying by bank and tenure. CD rates ≈ 4–5% p.a. for 1–5 year terms. Top providers: Marcus by Goldman, Ally Bank, Capital One 360.
Is FD interest taxable in USA?
In the US, CD and savings interest is taxed as ordinary income by the IRS at your federal marginal rate (10–37% for 2026) plus most states’ income tax, reported yearly on Form 1099-INT even if you don’t withdraw it; interest inside a tax-advantaged account like a 401(k) or IRA is deferred until withdrawal.
Is a fixed deposit safe in USA?
Fixed deposits carry no market risk. In the US, bank deposits are protected by the FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. They trade higher safety for lower long-term returns than equities.
Should I choose a fixed deposit or invest instead in USA?
A fixed deposit gives a guaranteed return and suits money you cannot afford to risk. Investing targets higher long-term growth but can fall in value. Many people keep an FD for safety and invest separately for growth.
What 12-month CD APY should I use if I don't know my bank's exact rate?
As of October 14, 2026, Marcus by Goldman Sachs publishes a 4.40% APY on its 12-month High-Yield CD on its own rate page. A default of 4.3% reflects this competitive high-yield tier and is a reasonable starting point before you check current rates at your own bank or credit union.
Why is my bank's CD rate so much lower than what this calculator suggests?
Traditional big banks such as Chase and Bank of America typically pay well under 1% on standard CDs, compared to the FDIC's national rate for a 12-month CD of about 1.73% in September 2026. Online-only banks compete harder for deposits and often pay 4x to 8x that average, which is why this calculator's default rate is based on high-yield online bank offers rather than traditional branch-bank rates.
How does the Federal Reserve's rate affect CD rates?
CD rates broadly track the Federal Reserve's federal funds rate. On September 16, 2026, the FOMC raised its target range to 3.75%-4.00% (federalreserve.gov press release). Banks price competitive CDs at a premium relative to overnight funding costs, which is consistent with the 4.40% APY Marcus publishes on its 12-month CD (October 2026).
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Sources
Deposit rates are compiled from each country's central-bank publications and the typical offerings of its major banks, reviewed for 2026 and subject to change — always confirm the current rate with your bank before depositing. See our methodology and editorial policy for how we source and update this data.
Additional sources for this page
Marcus by Goldman Sachs, CD Rates (as of October 14, 2026; accessed 15 October 2026). FDIC, National Rates and Rate Caps (accessed 15 October 2026). Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), FDIC National Rate Plus 75 bps: 12-Month CD, September 2026 = 2.48% (accessed 15 October 2026). Federal Reserve (September 16, 2026): FOMC statement raising the federal funds target range to 3.75%-4.00%. See our methodology and editorial policy for how we source and update this data.