{"id":11387,"date":"2026-01-14T03:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T09:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/?p=11387"},"modified":"2026-02-06T12:06:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:06:31","slug":"net-worth-calculator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/net-worth-calculator\/","title":{"rendered":"Net worth calculator: Learn how to calculate your net worth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The phrase \u201cnet worth\u201d is often associated with business tycoons, actors and professional athletes. Type in a celebrity\u2019s name and \u201cnet worth\u201d is almost always among the suggested Internet searches. But learning how to calculate net worth isn\u2019t only for the rich and famous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We should all know and care about our net worth, experts say. Grant Sabatier, creator of a personal finance website,\u201d claims it\u2019s \u201cthe most important number in personal finance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, Sabatier backs up his bold claim with help from Bola Sokunbi, founder and CEO of a financial resources platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sabatier and Sokunbi explain the fundamentals of this concept, from what net worth is to what it includes. And if you\u2019re wondering: How do you calculate net worth? You\u2019re in the right place. You\u2019ll be able to crunch the numbers for yourself with our calculator below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-net-worth-calculator\">Net worth calculator<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mcd-interactives wp-block-mcd-interactives--net-worth-calculator\">  <iframe class=\"wp-block-mcd-interactives__iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/plugins\/mcd-interactives\/\/src\/interactives\/net-worth-calculator\/net-worth-calculator.html\" title=\"net worth calculator\" id=\"iframe-net-worth-calculator\"><\/iframe><script>iFrameResize({ log: false }, \"#iframe-net-worth-calculator\")<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-net-worth\">What is net worth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYour net worth is your personal finance scorecard,\u201d Sabatier says. \u201cIt&#8217;s the only way to measure how much money you\u2019d have if you sold everything you have that has value (assets) and paid off the money you owe (liabilities).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These two factors form the basis of a net worth calculation. Assets include your savings, investments like stocks and bonds, valuables and property. Liabilities include loans and debt. Of course these things are important to track, but why put them all together in one figure?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-is-net-worth-important\">Why is net worth important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKnowing your net worth is the foundation for overall financial planning,\u201d Sokunbi says. \u201cIf you don\u2019t know your net worth, it\u2019s like getting in a car without knowing where you are or where you\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/why-you-need-to-make-a-retirement-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">estimating retirement expenses<\/a> and determine you\u2019ll need about $1 million to retire comfortably, calculating your net worth helps you better understand where you are in relation to that goal, and if you\u2019re making enough progress to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your net worth may also impact your creditworthiness when applying for a loan, Sokunbi says. One more reason to know how to calculate your net worth? It\u2019s a clear way to track debt reduction and savings growth through a single figure, making it easier to see your overall financial progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Without learning how to calculate net worth, you are \u201cflying blind,\u201d Sabatier says, making it that much harder to reach your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/financial-goal-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">financial goals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So how do you calculate net worth? It\u2019s not as difficult as you may think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-does-net-worth-include\">What does net worth include?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Using the net worth calculator above, you can plug in your assets and liabilities and let the tool do the math for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a shortcut in tallying your liabilities, Sokunbi recommends pulling your credit report (you can get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.annualcreditreport.com\/index.action\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one free report<\/a> each year from each of the three credit bureaus). You\u2019ll find all your debts listed there alongside current amounts owed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tallying all your assets may take a little more time, but once you do it the first time, you\u2019ll have a sense of where to find them all going forward. To help you along, use the net worth calculator as a guide directing you toward the documents you have to dig up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you first figure out how to calculate your net worth, the results may not be what you\u2019re hoping for. In fact, experts like Sabatier and Sokunbi think this is a big reason people avoid calculating net worth\u2014they know they have a lot of debt and little assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I started my financial journey, my net worth was negative $22,000,\u201d Sabatier says. When you start building your net worth, particularly if you\u2019re young or if you\u2019ve just started focusing on money management, a low or negative number is okay, he stresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, the median net worth among Americans younger than 35 is $39,000, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalreserve.gov\/econres\/scf\/dataviz\/scf\/chart\/#series:Net_Worth;demographic:agecl;population:all;units:median\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">a 2022 large-scale report by the Federal Reserve Board<\/a>. That median figure grows to $135,000 for those age 35 to 44, then to $246,000 for those age 45 to 54.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, most people\u2019s net worth grows, but there are strategies for proactively increasing your net worth.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"mx-auto block-quote block-quote--100back bg-fixed bg-center bg-no-repeat bg-cover z-0\">\n    <div class=\"block-quote__glow\"><\/div>\n    <blockquote class=\"post--constrain-large\">\n        <p>\u201cKnowing your net worth is the foundation for overall financial planning. If you don\u2019t know your net worth, it\u2019s like getting in a car without knowing where you are or where you\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n                    <footer class=\"block-quote__source\">Bola Sokunbi, founder and CEO of financial resources platform<\/footer>\n            <\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"post__content\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-can-you-increase-your-net-worth\">How can you increase your net worth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can now answer the question: How do you calculate net worth? It\u2019s time for another: How do you grow it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing your net worth requires increasing your assets while decreasing your liabilities. As you focus on how to increase your net worth, here are five steps recommended by the pros:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-boost-your-income\">1. Boost your income<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First, see if you can <em>make<\/em> more money so you can <em>save<\/em> more money. Whether that comes from career growth or by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/4-reasons-you-need-a-side-hustle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">starting a side hustle<\/a> (or both), the key is to actively seek income growth, Sokunbi says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you decide from the net worth calculator that you want to increase your assets, don\u2019t feel you have to drastically improve your salary overnight. \u201cFocusing on slow and steady income growth is also a good approach,\u201d Sokunbi says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-defeat-your-debt\">2. Defeat your debt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you\u2019ve learned, debt is an important factor when using a net worth calculator. To help manage your existing debt, pay off higher-interest debt first to save yourself more money, Sokunbi says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your credit has improved or income has grown, you can also consider negotiating for better interest rates, she adds. With a lower interest rate you may be able to pay down your debt even faster, thereby increasing your net worth, Sokunbi says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Going forward, be strategic about what new debt you take on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-find-ways-to-save-more\">3. Find ways to save more<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>See if you can save more money by cutting back on areas where you spend the most\u2014primarily housing, transportation and food, Sabatier says. Saving on those big areas while allowing yourself to splurge on the little things helps you avoid feeling deprived while your net worth grows, he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also want to avoid lifestyle inflation as your income grows or you pay off debt. Instead, Sabatier recommends funneling that money into a high interest rate savings account where it can grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-automate-your-savings\">4. Automate your savings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you review and optimize your budget, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/automate-your-savings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">automate as much of your savings as possible<\/a>. Then, set up reminders on your calendar to regularly check on the automated amount, interest rates and your account value, Sokunbi says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you amass savings, you may want to shift that money into investments or other longer-term savings vehicles that yield higher returns, she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-dip-your-toes-into-the-market\">5. Dip your toes into the market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, look for \u201clow barrier to entry\u201d investment vehicles that don\u2019t require advanced investing knowledge or a lot of regular attention, Sokunbi says. For example, ensure you have a 401(k) or IRA and are making regular contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond that, push your knowledge of investing, reading and learning more, so you feel confident making and tracking investments on your own, Sokunbi says. \u201cThat knowledge is so powerful. Don\u2019t be intimidated by all the noise\u2014you don\u2019t have to trade on Wall Street to have successful investments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By trying out these strategies, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/how-to-get-physically-and-financially-fit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">boost your overall financial fitness<\/a> and increase your net worth at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2120\" height=\"779\" src=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Net-Worth-Calculator-Learn-a-Very-Important-Number-for-Your-Finances-3-INARTICLE-e1628530251957.jpg\" alt=\"A man and his two young daughters wash their car in the driveway.\" class=\"wp-image-11613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Net-Worth-Calculator-Learn-a-Very-Important-Number-for-Your-Finances-3-INARTICLE-e1628530251957.jpg 2120w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Net-Worth-Calculator-Learn-a-Very-Important-Number-for-Your-Finances-3-INARTICLE-e1628530251957-300x110.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Net-Worth-Calculator-Learn-a-Very-Important-Number-for-Your-Finances-3-INARTICLE-e1628530251957-780x287.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Net-Worth-Calculator-Learn-a-Very-Important-Number-for-Your-Finances-3-INARTICLE-e1628530251957-768x282.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Net-Worth-Calculator-Learn-a-Very-Important-Number-for-Your-Finances-3-INARTICLE-e1628530251957-1536x564.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Net-Worth-Calculator-Learn-a-Very-Important-Number-for-Your-Finances-3-INARTICLE-e1628530251957-2048x753.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Net-Worth-Calculator-Learn-a-Very-Important-Number-for-Your-Finances-3-INARTICLE-e1628530251957-730x268.jpg 730w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2120px) 100vw, 2120px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-can-understanding-your-net-worth-help-you\">How can understanding your net worth help you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how to calculate net worth and then tracking your net worth may seem intimidating or even unnecessary at first, but it\u2019s a number that\u2019s worth knowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because net worth encompasses everything your money touches, from debt to savings to physical assets like homes and cars, it\u2019s one of the few ways you can get a truly complete picture of your financial health. Tracking your net worth also allows you to see how changes in your financial habits help move the figure higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The more time you spend with your money, the more comfortable you&#8217;ll get with it,\u201d Sabatier says. \u201cMoney is something you need to have a relationship with and like most relationships, the more time you spend working on it the more fun it becomes.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how to calculate your net worth is a key skill for anyone who wants to keep an eye on their financial health. If you want to ensure your goals are on track, then your next step is to conduct your own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/financial-checklist\/?ICMPGN=OS-BK-ARTCTA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">personal financial review<\/a> every quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third party or information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as professional advice. Nothing contained in this article shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligation or liability whatsoever on the part of Discover, a division of Capital One, N.A., or its affiliates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what net worth means and why it\u2019s important. Then, use this net worth calculator to reveal the number for yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":11612,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,9],"tags":[135,57,35,55,111,127,104,137,143,39,99,3439,101],"class_list":["post-11387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-banking101","category-online-banking","tag-automatic-transfer","tag-earning-potential","tag-financial-education","tag-financial-goals","tag-financial-plan","tag-how-to","tag-managing-your-money","tag-paying-down-debt","tag-salary","tag-saving","tag-savings-strategies","tag-side-hustle","tag-tools-calculators"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11387"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11387\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22920,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11387\/revisions\/22920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}