Series EE Savings Bond Value Calculator

Find out exactly what your Series EE Savings Bond is worth today — and how it grows over time.

Bond Face Value ($)

Min $25. You paid 50% of face value (e.g., $50 for a $100 bond).

Please enter a valid face value (min $25).

Issue Date

Found printed on the bond or TreasuryDirect.

Please enter a valid issue date.

Bond Series

Issued after May 2005 earn a fixed rate set at purchase.

Annual Interest Rate (%)

Check TreasuryDirect for your bond's exact rate.

Please enter a valid interest rate.

Calculate Value As Of

Defaults to today. Interest compounds semiannually.

Please enter a valid calculation date.

Face Value ($)

You pay 50% of this amount upfront.

Expected Rate (%)

Current EE rate shown on TreasuryDirect.

Hold Period: 20 years

How to Use This Series EE Savings Bond Calculator

Enter your bond's face value (found printed on the front), its issue date, and the fixed interest rate assigned when the bond was purchased. Select the bond series that matches your issue date, then click "Calculate Bond Value." The tool shows your bond's current worth, total interest earned, and a year-by-year breakdown of growth.

Use the "Plan a Purchase" tab to project how a new bond purchase would grow over time — useful for deciding whether to buy today or compare to other investments.

Why This Matters

Series EE Savings Bonds are one of the safest investments available — backed by the U.S. government — but their value isn't always obvious. Many bondholders don't realize the bonds accrue interest without any action on their part, or that bonds stop earning interest after 30 years.

The most powerful feature of EE bonds issued since May 2005 is the doubling guarantee: the Treasury guarantees the bond will be worth double its purchase price after 20 years, even if the stated rate wouldn't produce that return. For example, a $10,000 face value bond (purchased for $5,000) is guaranteed to reach $10,000 by year 20 — effectively a 3.5% annual return regardless of the stated rate.

This makes EE bonds particularly useful for long-term goals like college savings, a 20-year retirement supplement, or estate planning gifts. Knowing the exact value helps you decide when to redeem — for instance, redeeming at year 19 would forfeit a massive one-time credit applied in year 20. Understanding your bond's value is essential before making any redemption decision.

How It's Calculated

For EE bonds issued May 2005 or later, a fixed rate is set at purchase and compounds semiannually:

Value = Purchase Price × (1 + rate/2)^(2 × years)
Purchase Price = Face Value ÷ 2

At 20 years: Value = MAX(calculated value, Face Value)

Interest accrues monthly but is credited every 6 months (so you lose up to 5 months of interest if you redeem early). Bonds held less than 5 years incur a 3-month interest penalty.

For pre-May 2005 EE bonds, the rate was 90% of 5-year Treasury yields, updated every 6 months. These bonds use a more complex variable rate calculation.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Don't redeem just before year 20. EE bonds get a one-time adjustment at exactly 20 years to ensure doubling. Redeeming at year 19 forfeits this often-significant bonus.
Check your rate on TreasuryDirect. The rate printed on the bond is the initial rate — bonds issued before 2005 earned variable rates that changed over time. Log into TreasuryDirect for your exact current rate.
Bonds stop earning after 30 years. If you inherited old bonds or forgot about them, check issue dates immediately — bonds past 30 years earn nothing further and should be redeemed.
The 3-month penalty applies under 5 years. Redeeming before 5 years costs you the last 3 months of interest. Hold at least 5 years to avoid this penalty.
Federal tax is deferred, not eliminated. Interest is subject to federal income tax (but not state/local) when you redeem. Timing redemption for a low-income year can reduce your tax bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Series EE bonds double in value?

EE bonds issued after May 2005 are guaranteed to double in value exactly at the 20-year mark. This means a bond with a $100 face value (purchased for $50) will be worth at least $100 at year 20, regardless of the stated interest rate. This built-in guarantee effectively provides a minimum 3.53% annual return over 20 years.

What is the current Series EE bond interest rate?

The Treasury sets a new fixed rate for EE bonds every May 1 and November 1. The rate applies to bonds purchased during that 6-month period and remains fixed for the life of the bond. As of recent periods, rates have been in the 2.60–2.70% range. Check TreasuryDirect.gov for the current rate before purchasing.

Can I cash in a Series EE bond before 1 year?

No. EE bonds must be held for at least 12 months before they can be redeemed. After 12 months, you can cash them in at any time, but if you redeem before 5 years, you forfeit the last 3 months of interest as a penalty. After 5 years, there is no penalty.

How much in EE bonds can I buy per year?

The annual purchase limit is $10,000 in electronic EE bonds per Social Security number through TreasuryDirect. You can also receive up to $5,000 in paper EE bonds via your federal tax refund, for a total potential purchase of $15,000 per year. This limit applies separately for each individual, so couples can purchase up to $20,000 annually in electronic bonds combined.