NPV Calculator

Calculate the Net Present Value of future cash flows at a given discount rate. Determine whether an investment creates or destroys financial value.

ByPRIYA SHARMAโ€ขUpdated April 20, 2026
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Reviewed byARJUN MEHTA
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Fact checked byNEHA KAPOOR

CASH FLOWS

Year 0
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4

NET PRESENT VALUE

โ‚น20,401.612

โœ… Investment is profitable at 10% discount rate

YearCash FlowPresent Value
0โ‚น-1,00,000โ‚น-1,00,000
1โ‚น30,000โ‚น27,272.727
2โ‚น35,000โ‚น28,925.62
3โ‚น40,000โ‚น30,052.592
4โ‚น50,000โ‚น34,150.673

What is NPV?

Net Present Value (NPV) is the difference between the present value of all future cash inflows and the initial investment cost. It answers the fundamental question: "Is this investment worth more than it costs?"

NPV Formula

NPV = ฮฃ [Cash Flow_t / (1 + r)^t]

Where r is the discount rate (your required return) and t is the time period.

Decision Rule

  • NPV > 0: โœ… Investment creates value โ€” accept
  • NPV = 0: โš–๏ธ Investment breaks even at your required return
  • NPV < 0: โŒ Investment destroys value โ€” reject

Choosing the Discount Rate

The discount rate represents your opportunity cost โ€” what you could earn elsewhere at similar risk. Common choices: risk-free rate (government bond yield ~7%), equity returns (12-15%), or WACC for corporate projects.

NPV = ฮฃ [CFโ‚œ / (1 + r)แต—]

Where:

  • NPV = Net Present Value (total value created/destroyed)
  • CFโ‚œ = Cash flow at time period t (negative = investment)
  • r = Discount rate (opportunity cost / required return)
  • t = Time period (0, 1, 2, ... n years)

๐Ÿ“ Worked Example

1

Invest โ‚น1L, earn โ‚น30K, โ‚น35K, โ‚น40K, โ‚น50K at 10% discount

NPV = -1,00,000 + 27,273 + 28,926 + 30,053 + 34,151

= NPV = +โ‚น20,402 โ†’ Invest! โœ…

NPV Calculator FAQ