Finance tools
Net worth calculator
This net worth calculator helps you build a personal balance sheet in U.S. dollars—what you own minus what you owe. Enter assets and debts to see net worth or liquid net worth, with a category breakdown and optional CSV or PDF export. Results update as you type; numbers stay in your browser and we never link to your bank. Planning ahead? Use our FIRE calculator for long-term targets, the 50/30/20 budget calculator for monthly spending, or the paycheck calculator for take-home pay. Estimates for education only—not tax, appraisal, or investment advice.
What is net worth?
Personal net worth is the value of everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). In one line: net worth = total assets − total liabilities. If the result is positive, your assets exceed your debts; if it is negative, you owe more than the sale value of what you own today.
This calculator is for household finances in U.S. dollars—not for a company’s books. For business liquidity (the acid-test ratio), use our quick ratio calculator instead.
Net worth is a snapshot, not your salary, credit score, or monthly budget. Checking it a few times a year shows whether saving, investing, and debt paydown are actually changing your position.
How to calculate net worth
List current market values for assets (home, cars, cash, retirement, taxable investments) and outstanding balances for debts (mortgage principal, cards, loans). Add each side, then subtract liabilities from assets. Round to the nearest dollar—exact cents are not required for planning.
For a home you still owe on, enter full market value in assets and remaining mortgage principal in liabilities—equity is captured automatically. Do not enter monthly mortgage payments; only the balance still owed counts as a liability.
Need a payment schedule for a loan? Use our amortization schedule calculator, then paste the remaining principal here.
Net worth formula at a glance
Total assets = sum of every asset category you enter.
Total liabilities = sum of every debt balance you enter.
Net worth = total assets − total liabilities. Liquid net worth uses a narrower asset sum (checking, savings, Other) but still subtracts all liabilities.
Assets and liabilities to include
Assets are things with economic value you could sell or draw on: cash, bank accounts, retirement accounts (401(k), 403(b), IRA), taxable brokerage holdings, your home’s market value, vehicles, and valuables. Liabilities are amounts you owe: mortgage principal, credit cards, student and auto loans, personal loans, medical debt, HELOC balances, and other debt.
Use today’s balances and market values, not original purchase prices. Monthly bills and paycheck amounts belong in budget tools—not on this balance sheet.
| Calculator field | What to enter | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate | Current home value | Primary residence, rental property |
| Checking / Savings | Bank balances | Emergency fund, HYSA |
| Retirement | Account statements | 401(k), 403(b), traditional/Roth IRA |
| Autos | Private-party or trade-in value | Cars, trucks (loan separate) |
| Other assets | Investments & valuables | Brokerage, crypto, business equity, jewelry |
| Mortgages | Principal owed | First mortgage, rental loans |
| Credit cards | Statement balance | Revolving cards, store cards |
| Student / auto loans | Payoff amount | Federal/private student, car note |
| Other debt | Remaining balance | HELOC, personal loan, medical |
For spending and saving targets before you update this snapshot, see CFPB budgeting tools and Investor.gov — save for retirement.
How to use this net worth calculator
Choose view and input style
Select Net worth for the full balance sheet or Liquid net worth for cash-like assets. Use Quick entry for six category totals, or Detailed lines to split amounts inside each category.
Enter assets
Add real estate, checking, savings, retirement, vehicles, and other investments at today’s values. With Detailed lines, you can list multiple properties or brokerage accounts—the category total still rolls up automatically.
Enter liabilities
Include mortgage balances, credit cards, student and auto loans, and other debt—amounts still owed, not monthly payments or interest rates.
Read results and export
The results panel shows net worth, total assets, and total liabilities, plus a chart and category list. Copy the summary or download CSV/PDF after the optional email step—you can calculate without creating an account.
Home equity example
Home equity is not a separate line in this calculator—you enter the full property value as an asset and the mortgage principal as a liability. The difference is your equity and flows into total net worth automatically. A second lien (HELOC) goes in Other debt, not inside the mortgage field.
Estimating home value? Use recent comps, an online estimate, or your last appraisal as a starting point—then adjust when you have a firmer number. To model HELOC draw vs repayment payments or a borrowing limit before you record the balance here, use our HELOC calculator. For buy-vs-rent context before you purchase, try our rent vs buy calculator.
$200,000 home with $150,000 mortgage
Real estate (asset): $200,000 · Mortgages (liability): $150,000.
Housing contribution to net worth = $50,000 equity. Add checking, retirement, and other debts separately for your full household total.
Same home plus a $20,000 HELOC
Keep $200,000 real estate and $150,000 mortgage, then add a $20,000 HELOC under Other debt. Home equity is still $50,000, but total liabilities rise to $170,000, so your overall net worth falls by $20,000 unless you record offsetting cash or investments.
Worked example (sample household)
The calculator opens with the sample numbers below so you can see how categories add up before you enter your own. Totals match the default view: Net worth with Quick entry.
| Side | Category | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Asset | Real estate | $200,000 |
| Asset | Checking | $5,000 |
| Asset | Savings | $10,000 |
| Asset | Retirement | $100,000 |
| Asset | Autos | $15,000 |
| Asset | Other | $25,000 |
| Total assets | $355,000 | |
| Liability | Mortgages | $150,000 |
| Liability | Credit cards | $2,000 |
| Liability | Student loans | $30,000 |
| Liability | Auto loans | $8,000 |
| Total liabilities | $190,000 |
Results for this scenario
Net worth = $355,000 − $190,000 = $165,000.
Liquid assets = $5,000 + $10,000 + $25,000 = $40,000. Liquid net worth = $40,000 − $190,000 = −$150,000 (liabilities still count in liquid mode).
Income is not net worth
Income is money you earn over a period (salary, hourly wages, bonuses, self-employment profit). Net worth is what is left on your balance sheet after you spend, save, invest, and borrow. Earning $120,000 a year does not automatically mean $120,000 of net worth—most of that pay covers living costs and taxes unless you save aggressively.
A high earner can have low net worth if lifestyle inflation and debt outpace savings. Conversely, a moderate income with steady saving can build net worth over decades. Income feeds the budget; net worth measures accumulated wealth.
| Concept | Measures | Where to model it |
|---|---|---|
| Gross / net income | Cash flow per year or paycheck | Annual income calculator, paycheck calculator |
| Savings rate | Share of income saved | 50/30/20 rule calculator, FIRE calculator |
| Net worth | Assets − liabilities today | This calculator |
Model pay with our annual income calculator, hourly wage calculator, or paycheck calculator; set savings targets with the 50/30/20 rule calculator or FIRE calculator; then return here for the balance-sheet snapshot.
Total vs liquid net worth
Liquid net worth focuses on assets you can convert to cash relatively quickly—checking, savings, and holdings you list in Other assets (for example taxable brokerage). It excludes home equity, vehicles, and retirement accounts in this tool’s liquid mode because selling a home or tapping retirement often takes time, fees, or taxes.
| Measure | Asset side includes | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Net worth (full snapshot) | All six asset categories | Full household balance sheet, loan applications, long-term tracking |
| Liquid net worth | Checking, savings, Other only | Emergency fund runway, near-term goals, conservative cash cushion |
Liabilities are subtracted in both modes—mortgages and cards still reduce liquid net worth even when home equity is excluded from the asset side. If liquid net worth is negative while total net worth is positive, you may be house-rich but cash-tight; that pattern is common and worth planning around.
Is a 401(k) part of net worth?
Yes—retirement accounts count as assets in total net worth: 401(k), 403(b), traditional and Roth IRAs, and similar tax-advantaged balances. HSAs invested for retirement can go in Other assets or retirement depending how you track them—stay consistent each time you update.
Liquid mode excludes retirement because early withdrawals often trigger taxes and penalties. Model future contributions in our 401(k) calculator, then enter the statement balance here for today’s snapshot.
Net worth by age (context, not a target)
Median household net worth varies by age in U.S. survey data. Younger households often carry student loans and smaller home equity; later decades may show higher retirement and housing balances—until drawdown in retirement. A single “good” number for everyone does not exist.
Rules of thumb you may see online (for example savings equal to salary by a certain age) are motivational shortcuts, not guarantees. Compare yourself to your past self: same categories, same definitions, updated on a regular schedule.
For official U.S. household statistics, use the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances. For everyday money habits, see CFPB budgeting resources.
Net worth vs FIRE and budget tools
Budget, net worth, and FIRE tools solve different problems. Here is how this page fits alongside other Ordio calculators so you pick the right one first.
| Tool | Primary question | Time horizon |
|---|---|---|
| Net worth calculator (this page) | What do I own minus what I owe right now? | Today’s snapshot |
| 50/30/20 budget calculator | How should I split monthly take-home pay? | Each month |
| FIRE calculator | When might investments cover spending (FI number)? | Years forward (projection) |
| Debt payoff calculator | How fast can I eliminate specific debts? | Months to years per loan |
A practical order: shape monthly spending with the 50/30/20 rule calculator, automate savings, then refresh this page each quarter to see the balance sheet move. When invested assets grow, use the FIRE calculator to estimate how spending and returns might affect financial independence.
Think of net worth as the scoreboard and budget or FIRE tools as the game plan.
Ways to grow net worth
Pay down high-interest debt first—every dollar of principal you eliminate boosts net worth dollar-for-dollar and may cut interest costs. Increase automated savings, capture employer 401(k) matches, and let investments compound in taxable or retirement accounts.
A debt payoff calculator can schedule paydowns; a compound interest calculator shows long-run growth on money you invest. Use an inflation calculator to see whether cash sitting in savings is keeping pace with prices.
Set a recurring reminder—many households update net worth quarterly after statements arrive. Export a PDF from this page to compare snapshots in your own files.
Track net worth over time
One calculation is a starting point; the trend matters more than a single label. Re-run the same categories when statements arrive or after major life events—a new job, home purchase, loan payoff, inheritance, divorce, or sharp market moves.
Keep definitions stable: if you counted a car in Autos last quarter, do not move it to Other next quarter. Use the same home valuation method (comps vs estimate) each time so changes reflect reality, not methodology shifts.
- Pick a cadence — quarterly for most households; monthly if you enjoy tracking; annual at minimum for a long-term trend.
- Gather statements — bank, retirement, loan, and card balances on the same date (or within the same week).
- Export and file — download CSV or PDF and include the date in the filename.
- Note what changed — debt paydown, large purchases, inheritance, or market moves; one line of context helps future comparisons.
Limitations
Values are your estimates—not appraisals, tax assessments, or audited statements. Home values, car prices, and investment balances move with markets; update inputs when you need precision for a decision.
We do not link bank accounts, store your entries on our servers for aggregation, or project net worth years into the future (see FIRE calculator for forward-looking portfolio math). Detailed mode sums line items you enter—we do not validate that sub-lines match external statements.
Calculations run in your browser. This is not tax, legal, or investment advice—confirm material numbers with official documents and qualified professionals.
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Frequently asked questions about net worth and liquid net worth
How do I calculate my net worth?
Net worth = total assets − total liabilities. List what you own at current values (home, cash, retirement, investments, cars), then subtract what you owe (mortgage, cards, loans).
Use the calculator above to enter each category—it adds both sides and updates your net worth as you type. That is the same net worth formula banks and planners use for a household balance sheet.
What is my net worth if I only own a home with a mortgage?
Enter the home’s market value under real estate and the mortgage balance under mortgages—do not enter monthly payments.
Example: a $200,000 home with a $150,000 loan adds $50,000 to net worth from housing, before any other accounts you add.
Is a 401(k) part of net worth?
Yes. Count 401(k), 403(b), IRA, and similar balances in Retirement accounts when you measure total net worth.
They are usually not treated as liquid, because withdrawals before retirement age can trigger taxes and penalties. This calculator’s Liquid net worth mode excludes retirement for that reason.
What is liquid net worth?
Liquid net worth is liquid assets minus total liabilities—money you could realistically access soon, minus everything you still owe.
Here, liquid assets are checking, savings, and Other assets (for example taxable brokerage or cash equivalents). Home equity, vehicles, and retirement are excluded in Liquid net worth mode, but all liabilities still count.
Does a 401(k) count toward liquid net worth?
Not in this calculator’s Liquid net worth mode—we exclude retirement accounts so the figure stays conservative. Some planners count a portion of retirement as liquid after a tax or penalty “haircut”; use total net worth if you want retirement included on the asset side.
Can net worth be negative?
Yes. When total liabilities exceed total assets, net worth is negative—for example $15,000 in assets and $63,000 in debt yields −$48,000 net worth. That is common with student loans, medical debt, or a recent home purchase. Tracking over time still shows whether balances are shrinking.
Is $500,000 a good net worth?
It depends on your age, goals, and where you live. $500,000 can be well above typical medians for younger households and still feel tight in a high-cost area if most of it is home equity or retirement you cannot spend today.
Use this calculator for your own snapshot, then compare your numbers over time—not a single label from the internet.
What is good net worth by age?
There is no single “good” figure for every age. U.S. household medians by age band are published in the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances—use them as context, not a grade. Your own trend, savings rate, and debt paydown matter more than comparing to strangers online.
Should I include my car in net worth?
Yes—enter market value under Autos and any auto loan balance under liabilities (not the monthly payment). Cars usually depreciate, so net worth from vehicles often declines over time unless you own outright. Leased vehicles are generally omitted because you do not own the asset.
Is salary part of net worth?
No. Salary and wages are income, not net worth. Income shows up on your budget; net worth is assets minus liabilities on a given date.
You can earn a high income and still have low net worth if debt and spending outpace saving—or build wealth on a moderate income with steady saving and investing.
How often should I recalculate net worth?
Many households update quarterly when statements arrive. Others refresh after big events—a home purchase, loan payoff, inheritance, or job change.
Monthly is fine if you like tracking; once a year is enough to see a long-term trend if you keep categories consistent.
How is this different from a FIRE calculator?
This page is a balance sheet snapshot: what you own minus what you owe today.
The FIRE calculator projects years to financial independence from savings rate, spending, and investment assumptions. Use net worth for “where am I now?” and FIRE for “where could I be?”
How is this different from a quick ratio calculator?
The quick ratio calculator measures business liquidity from current assets and liabilities on a balance sheet. This page is for personal net worth in dollars, not acid-test ratios.
Can I use this for joint or household net worth?
Yes—enter combined assets and debts for your household in one run (you and a partner, or family members who share finances). Export one CSV or PDF summary for your records. If you need separate net worth figures per person, run the calculator twice with each person’s share of accounts.
Does this calculator connect to my bank accounts?
No. You enter balances yourself and the math runs in your browser. We do not link to banks, read accounts on your behalf, or store your figures on our servers.
Is this financial advice?
No. This net worth calculator is for education and planning estimates only—not personalized advice.
For budgeting habits, see CFPB budgeting tools. For tax, legal, or investment decisions, talk to qualified professionals who know your full situation.