Payback Period Calculator
Enter a positive initial investment and at least one cash flow.
Simple payback period —
Discounted payback period —
| Year | Cash flow | Cumulative (simple) | Cumulative (discounted) |
|---|
Free payback period calculator with both simple and discounted payback period, side by side, plus the full cumulative cash flow table — paste any pattern of irregular annual cash flows.
This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial or medical advice.
Consult a qualified professional before making decisions. See our Disclaimer.
How it works
- Enter your initial investment and a discount rate
- Paste your annual cash flows, one per line — any pattern, not just an even amount every year
- See simple payback period and discounted payback period side by side, with the full cumulative schedule
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between simple and discounted payback period?
Simple payback period just adds up raw cash flows until they equal your initial investment. Discounted payback period first discounts each year's cash flow to account for the time value of money — money now is worth more than money later — so it's always equal to or longer than the simple payback period.
What if my investment never pays back?
The tool tells you directly ("Never") instead of showing a broken or misleading number, if your cash flows never add up to the initial investment.
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Update history
- 2026-09-01 Added: a cover image (a coin stack rising to cross a break-even line, with a small clock marking the crossing point) — used as the card thumbnail, social share image, and blog title image.
- 2026-09-01 Launched: payback period calculator (no button) — simple and discounted payback period side by side, with irregular cash flow support and a full cumulative schedule. Entirely client-side.