An ETF’s total return includes both price appreciation and any dividends or distributions paid along the way. Enter your investment details below to see your total and annualized return.
How It’s Calculated
Total Return combines your ending share value with any dividends received, compared to your initial investment: Total Return = (Ending Value + Dividends − Initial Investment) ÷ Initial Investment × 100. When you provide a holding period, Annualized Return converts that total return into a compound annual rate: (1 + Total Return)^(1 ÷ Years) − 1.
A Note on Assumptions
This calculator assumes dividends are entered as a lump sum rather than reinvested share-by-share, and it doesn’t account for expense ratios, taxes, or trading costs. For a fund’s ongoing fee drag, see the ETF Expense Ratio Impact Calculator.
Worked Example
Say you invest $5,000 in an ETF trading at $100 per share (50 shares), it rises to $150 per share over 3 years, and you collect $200 in dividends along the way. Your ending value is $7,500.00, for a total return of $2,700.00 (+54.00%) — or 15.48% annualized.
FAQ
Does this assume dividends are reinvested?
No — enter your total dividends received as a lump sum. The calculator adds them to your return rather than assuming they were reinvested into additional shares.
What’s the difference between total return and annualized return?
Total return is the overall gain over your whole holding period. Annualized return converts that into an equivalent yearly rate, which makes it easier to compare investments held for different lengths of time.
Do I need to enter the years field?
Only if you want an annualized return — the total return and ending value will still calculate without it.
Does this account for the ETF’s expense ratio?
Not directly — fund expenses are already reflected in the ETF’s share price over time. For a side-by-side fee comparison, use our ETF Expense Ratio Impact Calculator.