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CD Ladder Calculator

Build an optimal CD ladder for maximum yield with regular access to your money. See maturity dates and projected earnings.

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How CD Ladders Work

A CD ladder divides your savings into multiple CDs with staggered maturity dates. Instead of locking $25,000 into one 5-year CD, you split it into five $5,000 CDs maturing at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Every year, one CD matures — giving you access to $5,000 (liquidity) while the rest continues earning higher long-term rates. When a rung matures, reinvest it in a new 5-year CD to maintain the ladder.

The advantage: you earn close to long-term rates (typically 0.5-1% higher than savings accounts) while having regular access to funds. Current CD rates (2025): 6-month: 4.0-4.5%, 1-year: 4.0-4.8%, 3-year: 3.8-4.3%, 5-year: 3.5-4.0%. Compare with high-yield savings with our Savings APY Calculator.

People Also Ask

Is a CD ladder better than a savings account?
CDs typically pay 0.5-1% more than even the best high-yield savings accounts. The trade-off is less flexibility. A ladder mitigates this by providing regular maturity dates.
What happens if I need the money early?
Most CDs charge an early withdrawal penalty (3-12 months of interest depending on term). With a ladder, you can wait for the next rung to mature instead.
How many rungs should my ladder have?
3-5 rungs is typical. More rungs = more frequent access. Fewer rungs = potentially higher average rates. 5 rungs with annual maturities is the most common structure.