How to use this calculator
List what you own (assets) and what you owe (liabilities). Assets include cash, retirement accounts, investments, the market value of your home and vehicles. Liabilities include your mortgage, car loans, student loans and credit card balances. The calculator subtracts liabilities from assets to give your net worth.
Use current values, not purchase prices. For your home, use a realistic sale price. For retirement accounts, use the latest statement balance.
Why net worth matters
Income shows what you earn. Net worth shows what you keep. It is the single best number to track your financial progress over time, because it captures saving, investing and paying down debt in one figure.
Calculate it once a year, on the same date. The trend matters more than any single result.
Net worth vs liquid net worth
Your total net worth includes assets that are hard to turn into cash, such as your home. Liquid net worth counts only assets you can access quickly without a large penalty or a sale, such as cash and taxable investments. Liquid net worth tells you how well you can handle an emergency or an early retirement.
How to grow your net worth
Most progress comes from a few habits:
- Pay off high-interest debt first. Each dollar of credit card debt you remove raises your net worth by a dollar.
- Save a fixed share of every paycheck, and increase it when your income goes up.
- Invest for the long term in low-cost, diversified funds.
- Avoid large purchases that lose value quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good net worth for my age?
It depends on income, location and goals. The Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances put the median net worth of all U.S. families at about $192,900. Compare yourself to your own past results first.
Should I include my home in my net worth?
Yes, for total net worth, at a realistic market value minus the mortgage balance. Many people also track net worth without the home, because you need somewhere to live.
Can net worth be negative?
Yes. Many people start with a negative net worth because of student loans or a new mortgage. What matters is that the number moves up each year.
Keep reading
- Liquid net worth vs net worth
- How to calculate liquid net worth
- Net worth by age percentile
- How to increase your net worth
- Learning Center: taxes in retirement
- All free calculators
This calculator gives estimates for education only. It is not personalized financial, tax or legal advice. Check your numbers with a qualified professional before you make a decision.