NPV calculator – net present value
Discount future project cash flows and measure value creation after the initial investment.
- 100% local
- Instant
- Free
- No account
- Works offline
Net present value
Enter the initial investment, one cash flow per period and the discount rate.
One amount per line. Negative values are allowed.
Discounted cash-flow detail
| Period | Cash flow | Discounted cash flow | Cumulative NPV |
|---|
Why use this tool?
NPV discounts each future cash flow so its value today can be compared with the initial investment.
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Your data stays on your device and is never sent to our servers.
Smart processing
Calculate and compare financial scenarios with clear indicators and explicit formulas.
Supported formats
Amounts, rates, terms and financial assumptions depending on the calculator.
Save time
Get a clean, ready-to-use result in seconds without installing software or configuring a complex workflow.
Fonctionnement
How does this tool work?
The calculation starts with the initial investment as a cash outflow at the beginning of the project, then discounts every future cash flow using the selected rate and its period number. A distant cash flow is therefore discounted more heavily than a near one. The present values are added together and the initial investment is subtracted. A positive NPV means discounted inflows exceed the capital committed under the entered assumptions, while a negative NPV means the opposite. The result depends directly on the chosen rate and cash flows.
Use cases
Compare projects
Compare several investments using the same reference rate and consistent cash-flow assumptions.
Test a scenario
Measure how a higher discount rate or more cautious future cash flows affect estimated value creation.
Support a decision
Use NPV as one complementary indicator before an investment or financing decision.
Guide
How to use this tool
- 1
Enter the investment
Provide the amount committed at the start.
- 2
Add cash flows
Enter one future cash flow per period.
- 3
Choose the rate
Set the discount rate and review NPV.
Tips and best practices
- A positive NPV indicates value creation at the selected rate.
- Use a discount rate consistent with risk and cost of capital.
- Compare projects using consistent cash-flow assumptions.
Frequently asked questions
What does a positive NPV mean?
The present value of future cash flows exceeds the initial investment at the selected rate, indicating value creation under the assumptions entered.
Why discount cash flows?
Because money received in the future is not worth the same as money available today, so discounting puts flows on a comparable basis.
Can cash flows be negative?
Yes, for future expenses, reinvestment needs, or any other expected cash outflow during the project.
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