Find out what a U.S. savings bond is worth today. Pick Series EE or I, electronic or paper, enter the denomination and issue date, and see the current value, interest earned, any early-cash penalty, the EE 20-year doubling guarantee and a year-by-year value table.
Last updated:
Your bond
Bond series
Bond type
$
What you paid ($25 minimum for electronic bonds)
Paper EE bonds cost half the face value; paper I bonds cost the full face value
Interest starts on the first day of the issue month
Rates
%
Leave empty to use the table. Enter an average rate for EE bonds issued before May 2005 (variable rates).
% / 6 mo
Used for periods after the last announced rate
EE rates announced by the U.S. Treasury (TreasuryDirect) each May and November. Check them and add new periods as they are announced.
From TreasuryDirect announcements (each May and November). Add new lines as rates are announced.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Savings Bond Calculator
Choose the series (EE or I) and whether the bond is electronic or paper.
Enter the amount you paid, or for paper bonds the denomination printed on the bond and how many you have.
Enter the issue date from the bond; only the month and year matter.
Press Calculate bond value to see the value, interest, penalty, rate and key dates.
Check the rate table: add newly announced rates, or enter an average rate for EE bonds issued before May 2005.
How savings bond value is worked out
Purchase price: electronic bonds cost their face value. Paper EE bonds cost half the denomination (a $100 bond cost $50); paper I bonds cost the full denomination.
Rate: EE bonds issued since May 2005 keep one fixed rate. I bonds earn a composite rate = fixed + 2 × semiannual inflation + fixed × semiannual inflation, reset every six months from the issue month and never below 0%.
Growth: every six months the value is multiplied by (1 + rate ÷ 2). Interest is credited on the first day of each month in between.
EE guarantee: at 20 years (17 years for bonds issued May 1997 to April 2003) an EE bond is worth at least double its price; the Treasury adds a one-time adjustment if needed.
Penalty: cashed before 5 years, the value from 3 months earlier is paid.
EE vs I savings bonds at a glance
Feature
Series EE
Series I
Rate (bonds issued since May 2005)
Fixed for the life of the bond
Fixed rate + inflation rate, reset every 6 months
Guarantee
Worth double the price after 20 years
Value never goes down
Paper bond price
Half of face value
Face value
Minimum holding period
12 months
12 months
Penalty before 5 years
Last 3 months of interest
Last 3 months of interest
Stops earning interest
30 years
30 years
Taxes
Federal income tax only, can be deferred; no state or local income tax
Tips for cashing savings bonds
Look for bonds over 30 years old: they no longer earn anything, so there is no reason to keep them.
Low-rate EE bonds near 20 years: wait for the 20-year anniversary month, when the doubling adjustment can add a large jump in value.
Cash at the start of a month: interest is credited on the first of the month, so redeeming late in a month earns nothing extra.
Plan the tax bill: deferred interest on many old bonds is all taxable in the year you cash them, so spreading redemptions over several years can help.
EE bonds issued before May 2005 earned variable rates; enter an average rate for a rough estimate and confirm with the Treasury's official calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a $100 EE savings bond worth?
A paper $100 EE bond cost $50. Bonds issued since May 2003 are guaranteed to be worth at least $100 (double the price) after 20 years, and they keep earning interest until 30 years. Before 20 years the value depends on the bond's rate and age; enter the issue date above to see it.
What is the EE bond doubling guarantee?
The Treasury guarantees that an EE bond issued since May 2003 will be worth at least twice its purchase price 20 years after issue. If the fixed rate has not doubled it by then, a one-time adjustment makes up the difference. Doubling in 20 years is equivalent to about 3.53% a year.
When can I cash a savings bond without a penalty?
EE and I bonds cannot be cashed in the first 12 months. If you cash them before 5 years you lose the last 3 months of interest. After 5 years there is no penalty, and the bonds stop earning interest at 30 years, so holding them longer gains nothing.
How are EE bond rates set?
EE bonds issued since May 2005 earn a fixed rate set when they are issued and kept for the life of the bond. The Treasury announces the rate for new bonds every May and November. Bonds issued from May 1997 to April 2005 earned variable rates based on Treasury yields.
How is savings bond interest taxed?
Interest on EE and I bonds is subject to federal income tax but exempt from state and local income tax. You can report it each year or defer it until you cash the bond or it reaches final maturity. It may be excluded if used for qualified higher education expenses under the education savings bond program.
Why is my paper EE bond worth less than its face value?
Paper EE bonds were sold at half their face value. Bonds with low fixed rates take the full 20 years to reach face value, which is when the doubling adjustment is added, so a younger bond is normally worth less than the amount printed on it.
Why might this estimate differ from TreasuryDirect?
The calculator follows the Treasury method of monthly interest, semiannual compounding and rounding per $25, using the rate table shown. Results can differ by a few cents, and I bond values for future periods depend on your assumed inflation rate.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.