CD Ladder Optimizer

Plan a cash ladder that balances yield and liquidity by projecting how much your certificates of deposit will grow once each rung has matured. Enter the total cash you will deploy, the number of CDs, the annual percentage yields for the shortest and longest terms, and the maturity of the final rung to see the blended ladder value.

Total cash you intend to spread across the ladder (enter your currency amount).
How many CDs you plan to hold simultaneously (each rung shares the total evenly).
Annual percentage yield on the shortest-term CD after bank fees.
Annual percentage yield on the longest-term CD in the ladder.
Number of months until the longest rung matures before reinvestment.

Examples

  • $60,000 across 4 rungs from 4.10% to 5.25% with a 24-month cap ⇒ $63,612.50 after one cycle
  • $25,000 laddered over 5 rungs from 3.60% to 4.85% with a 30-month longest term ⇒ $26,673.96 total

FAQ

What happens if I only create one rung?

The calculator treats the plan as a single CD that uses the longest term and APY provided, so the result mirrors a lump-sum deposit.

Does this model compounding frequency differences?

It assumes annual compounding for simplicity. If your bank compounds monthly, expect the real-world value to be slightly higher than the projection.

Can I adjust for penalties?

Early withdrawal penalties are not factored into the projection. If you anticipate breaking a CD, subtract the expected fee from the displayed total to keep your plan conservative.

How should I choose the range of APYs?

Use the current advertised yields for the shortest and longest CD terms you intend to buy; the calculator blends the rates evenly across intermediate rungs to approximate a realistic ladder.

Additional Information

  • Assumptions: deposits are divided evenly and earn simple interest at the stated APY for the proportional term length of each rung.
  • Reinvestment tip: when a rung matures, roll it into a new long-term CD to maintain the ladder's cadence and average yield.
  • Cross-link: map the savings needed to fund each rung with the Monthly Savings Contribution calculator, then stress-test cash longevity using the Savings Withdrawal Duration tool.

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