Recurring Deposit (RD) Calculator

Calculate the maturity amount and total interest earned on your monthly Recurring Deposit with a full month-by-month breakdown.

Currency
$
$100$500K
%
1%20%
months
1 mo120 mo
Results

Adjust the inputs and click Calculate.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Recurring Deposit (RD) is a savings scheme offered by banks where you deposit a fixed amount every month for a predetermined tenure. The bank pays compound interest (typically quarterly) on the accumulated deposits. At maturity, you receive the total deposited amount plus all interest earned. RDs are ideal for building disciplined monthly savings habits.
RD maturity is calculated as: M = R × (1+i) × [(1+i)n − 1] / i where R = monthly deposit, i = monthly interest rate (annual ÷ 12), n = number of months. Each monthly deposit earns compound interest for the remaining months of the tenure.
An FD requires a one-time lump sum investment. An RD requires a fixed monthly deposit throughout the tenure. RDs are better for people with regular income who want to save monthly. FDs are better for those with a lump sum to invest. Both offer guaranteed, fixed returns.
Yes. RD interest is taxable as "Income from Other Sources." TDS is applicable if total interest from all RDs with a bank exceeds ₹40,000 per year (₹50,000 for senior citizens). Submit Form 15G/15H if your total income is below the taxable limit to avoid TDS deduction.
Yes, most banks allow premature closure of RD accounts, but a penalty of 1–2% is typically charged on the applicable interest rate. The maturity amount will be lower than calculated. Some banks also allow partial withdrawal or loans against RDs.
Banks typically charge a penalty for missing a monthly RD instalment (usually ₹1–2 per ₹100 per month). If you miss multiple instalments, the bank may foreclose the RD prematurely. To avoid penalties, ensure your bank account has sufficient funds on the scheduled RD deduction date.
RD offers guaranteed returns and is risk-free, making it ideal for conservative investors or short-term goals. SIP in mutual funds has historically delivered higher returns over the long term but carries market risk. For capital protection and fixed returns, choose RD. For long-term wealth creation, SIP generally outperforms.
Most banks in India allow RDs with a minimum monthly deposit of ₹100. Post Office RDs have a minimum of ₹100/month with no upper limit. Online banks and fintech platforms may have their own minimums. The tenure typically ranges from 6 months to 10 years.
An RD offers guaranteed, fixed returns with zero market risk — ideal for capital protection and short-term goals (1–5 years). A SIP in equity mutual funds has historically delivered higher returns (10–15% annually over long periods) but comes with market risk. For money needed within 3 years, choose RD. For wealth creation over 5+ years, SIP generally outperforms significantly.
Banks charge ₹1–2 per ₹100 per month for missed RD instalments in India. If multiple instalments are missed consecutively (usually 3–4 months), the bank may foreclose the RD at a lower rate. The Post Office RD allows a grace period of one month. Set up an auto-debit mandate from your salary account to avoid penalties.

About This RD Calculator

This free Recurring Deposit calculator helps you estimate the maturity amount and total interest earned on your monthly bank RD. Enter the monthly deposit amount, annual interest rate, and tenure in months to instantly see your maturity value, total interest, and a month-by-month breakdown.

Recurring Deposits are one of the safest savings instruments for salaried individuals. By depositing a small, fixed amount every month, you accumulate wealth with guaranteed, bank-backed returns — without the risk of market volatility.

When to use this calculator

  • Planning monthly savings with guaranteed returns
  • Comparing RD rates across different banks and post offices
  • Estimating returns for Post Office RD schemes
  • Building an emergency fund or saving for a short-term goal

Standards & References

Related Articles

In-depth guides and technical articles.

View all →
Should You Open a Long or Short RD Right Now? Rate Lock-In, RBI Policy, and the Laddering Strategy
RD interest rates are fixed at opening and don't change with RBI rate moves — which means the tenure decision is really a rate-direction bet. In a rising rate environment, shorter tenures preserve flexibility to re-invest at higher rates; in a falling environment, longer tenures lock in peak rates. Here's how RBI monetary policy transmits to bank deposit rates, the RD laddering strategy for both flexibility and rate optimisation, and premature withdrawal penalty mechanics.
A 7% RD Earns 4.9% After Tax at the 30% Slab — How to Actually Compare RD Returns to PPF and SSY
RD interest is taxable as income at your slab rate — so a 7% RD for a 30% slab taxpayer delivers roughly 4.9% post-tax. Here's how TDS on RD works (Form 15G/15H, ₹40,000 threshold), the post-tax RD comparison against PPF and SSY (both EEE exempt at similar nominal rates), why RD still makes sense for short-to-medium goals and senior citizens, and how to evaluate bank rate spreads given DICGC insurance limits.
RD vs Paying Down High-Interest Debt: The Math Says One Thing, and Sometimes the Other Reasons Are Legitimate Too
An RD earning 6% while carrying credit card debt at 20% guarantees a 14-percentage-point loss on every dollar split between the two — and yet many people do exactly this. Here's the basic math, and the legitimate (non-math) reasons people still maintain savings alongside high-interest debt: emergency funds, behavioral motivation from visible savings growth, early-closure penalties on existing RDs, and why the comparison gets genuinely closer for low-interest debt like mortgages.
How Banks Calculate RD Interest: The Quarterly Compounding Formula You Can Verify Yourself
Banks use quarterly compounding for most RD products — here's the exact formula to verify your maturity amount independently. Includes monthly vs quarterly compounding comparison, effective annual rate conversion, and how premature withdrawal penalties are calculated.
Recurring Deposits vs SIPs vs Savings Accounts: Risk, Returns, and Which Suits Your Goal
RDs guarantee returns; SIPs offer higher potential returns with market risk; regular savings accounts provide full liquidity. Here's a comparison of all three by risk, return, tax treatment, and suitable horizon — including why rupee cost averaging makes SIPs particularly effective in volatile markets.