Free NPV & IRR calculator
Enter an initial investment and the cash flows it returns, pick a discount rate, and get the net present value, internal rate of return and payback period. Runs entirely in your browser; nothing leaves your device.
How it works
No black box — here's exactly what the calculator does.
NPV discounts each future cash flow to today and nets off the initial outlay, using the discount rate you choose.
If the discounted cash flows more than cover the initial investment, NPV is positive — meaning the project beats your discount rate.
IRR is the discount rate at which NPV is exactly zero. Compare it to your cost of capital: if IRR is higher, the investment clears the bar.
Payback is how long until the cash flows recover the initial outlay. It ignores the time value of money, so read it alongside NPV.
FAQ
What is NPV?
Net present value discounts every future cash flow back to today's money at your chosen rate, then subtracts the initial investment. A positive NPV means the investment is expected to add value at that discount rate.
What is the difference between NPV and IRR?
NPV gives a pound value at a discount rate you choose. IRR is the single discount rate that would make NPV exactly zero. You compare IRR to your cost of capital: if IRR is higher, the investment clears the bar.
Why is my IRR showing as none?
IRR only exists when the cash flows change sign — typically an initial outflow followed by inflows. If all the values are the same sign, or they cross zero more than once, a single IRR may not exist.
Appraising lots of projects?
DataHub Pro runs NPV, IRR and payback across a whole spreadsheet and writes the report.
Try DataHub Pro free →