Your actual return on invested cash
For leveraged investors who care most about annual pre-tax cash flow divided by the total cash they invested (down payment, closing, repairs).
Cash-on-Cash Return Calculator
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Create Free AccountWhat it does
The Cash-on-Cash Return Calculator divides your annual pre-tax cash flow by the total cash you invested to show what percentage return you're earning on your actual out-of-pocket money. This is the most relevant return metric for leveraged deals because it isolates your real return on capital deployed.
While cap rate evaluates the property's intrinsic yield, cash-on-cash return measures YOUR return after accounting for your specific financing, down payment, and closing costs. A 20% cash-on-cash return on a 5% cap rate property is possible through intelligent debt structuring — the calculator shows exactly how leverage amplifies your returns.
Who it's for
- Leveraged investors evaluating the impact of down payment size and loan terms on personal returns
- Syndicators calculating returns for equity investors who contributed capital to the deal
- Fix-and-flip investors measuring annual returns on capital deployed during the hold period
- Real estate fund managers comparing cash-on-cash performance across a portfolio of deals
How it works
Calculate annual cash flow
Gross rent − all expenses − debt service = cash flow.
Calculate total cash invested
Down payment + closing costs + initial repairs.
Divide
Annual cash flow ÷ total cash invested = cash-on-cash return.
Why it matters
Measure real dollars returned per invested dollar
Account for leverage and how it amplifies returns
Compare deals that require different down payments
Justify financing choices with concrete numbers
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What every calculator includes
67 Calculators
Every investment strategy — rental, flip, BRRRR, mortgage, commercial, wealth building.
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Conservative, base, and optimistic 1/2/5/10-year return modeling.
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Claude-powered analysis — strengths, risks, and actionable recommendations.
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Address Auto-Fill
Enter a property address to pre-fill value, rent, and tax data automatically.
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Mortgage rate fields pre-populate with Federal Reserve interest rate data.
Investment-Grade Math
Every formula audited against professional underwriting standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Is cash-on-cash return the same as cap rate?
No. Cap rate ignores financing; cash-on-cash includes it. Leverage boosts cash-on-cash but not cap rate.
What's a good cash-on-cash return?
8–15% annually is typical; 15%+ is excellent. Less than 5% signals you're overlevering or the deal is thin.
Does cash-on-cash assume I hold forever?
No — it's annualized. If you sell in year 3, calculate cash-on-cash for that holding period and annualize it.
How do I compare cash-on-cash across deals with different holding periods?
Annualize both. A deal returning $10K cash flow per year on $100K invested = 10% COC whether you hold 5 or 50 years.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes — create a free Investor Starter account to run 1 calculator per day. No credit card required. Upgrade to Core ($49/mo) for unlimited access to all 67 calculators.
How accurate are the results?
Results are only as accurate as your inputs. The formulas use industry-standard real estate investment math. Always verify with a licensed professional before committing capital.
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