Exponential Growth Calculator
Calculate exponential growth or decay over time from an initial amount, rate and number of periods. Handles positive and negative rates.
Last reviewed by the Radiatus Cloud team
Project exponential growth or decay: final = initial × (1 + rate)^periods.
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Model exponential growth and decay
Exponential change occurs when a quantity grows or shrinks by a constant percentage each period rather than by a fixed amount. The final value equals the initial amount multiplied by one plus the rate, raised to the power of the number of periods. A positive rate produces growth, where the amount accelerates upward, while a negative rate produces decay, where it falls toward zero. This calculator applies that formula for any initial amount, rate and number of periods.
Because the period can be a decimal, you can model part-period results, and because the rate can be negative you can model depreciation and decline as easily as growth.
Where exponential models apply
Exponential growth describes compound interest, population increase, viral spread and the scaling of technology. Exponential decay describes radioactive materials, drug concentrations in the body, cooling objects and the depreciation of assets. Understanding the difference between steady percentage change and fixed-amount change is key in science, finance and planning.
The tool reports the final amount, the total and percentage change, and the per-period multiplier, which is the factor by which the quantity is scaled each step. For financial compound-interest work with contributions, a dedicated interest calculator may be more convenient. All calculation runs locally in your browser.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What formula does this use?
Final amount equals initial amount times the quantity one plus the rate, raised to the power of the number of periods, with the rate expressed as a decimal.
How do I model decay instead of growth?
Enter a negative rate, such as minus ten percent, and the amount shrinks each period following the same formula.
Can the number of periods be a decimal?
Yes. A fractional period models part-way through a cycle, which is useful for continuous-style growth sampled at a point in time.
Why must the rate exceed minus one hundred percent?
A rate of minus one hundred percent or lower would remove the entire amount or more in a single period, which is not a meaningful ongoing rate.
Is this the same as compound interest?
The core formula is the same. A compound-interest calculator adds features like regular contributions and compounding frequency for money specifically.
Privacy & Security
Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
How to Use
Enter the starting amount, growth rate per period and number of periods.
Disclaimer: This tool is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Results are for educational and utility purposes.
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