How to find your savings bond's current value
The U.S. Department of the Treasury runs a free tool called the Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov. You enter the bond's series (Series EE, Series I, or Series HH), the issue date, and the denomination you paid for it. The calculator tells you exactly what that bond is worth right now.
You do not need to own the bond or have any account to use it. The calculator works for any bond issued since 1974. If you have the physical bond in front of you, the series letter and issue date are printed on the front. If you bought it through TreasuryDirect (the online system), you can log in and see the value of every bond you own listed there.
Savings bonds earn interest monthly, but the value only updates on the first and fifteenth of each month. If you check the calculator on the tenth, you are seeing the value as of the first. This matters if you are trying to decide whether to cash a bond soon — waiting a few days might add a few dollars.
Key Takeaways
- The Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov shows your bond's exact current worth in seconds, and works for any bond issued since 1974.
- Bond value updates only on the first and fifteenth of each month, so the calculator shows you the value as of the most recent of those dates.
- Series EE bonds earn a fixed rate set when you buy them; Series I bonds earn a combined rate that changes every six months based on inflation.
- You cannot cash a Series EE or I bond before five years without losing the last three months of interest, and cashing before twenty years costs you a penalty.
- If you have a paper bond, you can take it to a bank to cash it, or register it with TreasuryDirect to track its value online.
Why the same bond is worth different amounts at different times
A savings bond is not like a stock that goes up and down. Instead, it earns interest on a schedule, and that interest is added to what the bond is worth. The amount of interest depends on which type of bond you own.
Series EE bonds earn a fixed interest rate. When you buy an EE bond, the Treasury sets a rate that stays the same for the life of the bond — usually somewhere between 0.10% and 5%, depending on when you bought it. That rate never changes. The bond earns that interest every month, and the value grows predictably. A bond you bought in 2010 earns the same rate today that it earned in 2015.
Series I bonds earn a variable rate made of two parts: a fixed rate (set when you buy) plus an inflation rate (which changes every six months). The inflation part adjusts on May 1 and November 1 each year. This is why an I bond you bought last year might be earning a different rate now than it was six months ago. The Treasury announces the new rate on its website before it takes effect.
Both types of bonds earn interest every month, but the value only updates on the first and fifteenth. If a bond earns $2.50 a month, it gains $2.50 on the first and $2.50 on the fifteenth, then stays flat until the next update date.
What happens to your bond's value if you cash it early
If you cash a Series EE or I bond before it has been five years, you lose the last three months of interest. This is called the early redemption penalty. If you bought a bond on March 15, 2023, and cash it on March 14, 2028, you have almost five years but not quite — you lose three months of interest.
If you cash the bond after five years but before twenty years, you keep all the interest you earned, but you do not get the bonus. Series EE bonds have a twenty-year may provide: if the bond has not doubled in value by the time it reaches twenty years old, the Treasury adds money to make it double. If you cash before twenty years, you miss that may provide. Series I bonds do not have a doubling may provide, but they do have a twenty-year final maturity — after that, they stop earning interest and you should cash them.
After thirty years, both types stop earning interest entirely. A thirty-year-old bond is worth exactly what it was worth on the day it hit thirty years, and it will never be worth more.
How to cash your bond and get the money
If you own a paper bond, take it to any bank or credit union and ask to redeem it. Bring your ID. The bank will verify the bond, pay you its current value, and give you a receipt. This usually takes a few minutes. Not every bank does this — call ahead if you are unsure.
If your bond is registered with TreasuryDirect (meaning you bought it online), log into your account, find the bond, and click "Redeem." The money goes into the bank account you have on file, usually within one business day. You cannot redeem a TreasuryDirect bond at a bank — you have to do it online.
If you have a paper bond but do not know if it is registered with TreasuryDirect, check the front of the bond. If it says "Book Entry" or has a TreasuryDirect reference number, it is registered online. If it just has a series letter and serial number, it is a physical paper bond and you take it to a bank.
Bonds issued before 1974 and bonds you inherited
The Savings Bond Calculator only works for bonds issued in 1974 or later. If you have an older bond, you can still cash it, but you will need to contact the Treasury directly or take it to a bank. The bank can look up its value in the Treasury's records.
If you inherited a bond, the value depends on when the original owner bought it and what type it is. The bond keeps earning interest in your name once you take ownership. If the bond is in paper form, you can take it to a bank to have it reissued in your name, or you can cash it as-is. If it is registered with TreasuryDirect, the account owner's estate will need to contact the Treasury to transfer it to you.
Series HH bonds and why you cannot buy them anymore
Series HH bonds were sold until 2004 and are no longer issued. If you own one, it still earns interest and you can still cash it. HH bonds earn a fixed rate, similar to EE bonds, but they were designed to be held longer — the early redemption penalty is six months of interest instead of three.
HH bonds stop earning interest after thirty years, just like EE and I bonds. If you own an HH bond that is older than thirty years, it is worth whatever it was worth on the day it turned thirty, and cashing it now versus next year will not change that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check the value of a bond I do not own?
Yes. The Savings Bond Calculator does not require you to log in or prove ownership. You can calculate the value of any bond as long as you know the series, issue date, and denomination. This is useful if you inherited a bond or found one and want to know what it is worth.
What if I lost the paper bond but remember when I bought it?
Contact the Treasury's Savings Bond Division at savingsbonds@bep.treas.gov or call 1-844-284-2676. They can search their records by your Social Security number and the approximate purchase date. If they find it, they can issue a replacement or help you redeem it.
Do I have to pay taxes on the interest my bond earned?
Yes, but not necessarily right away. Federal income tax is owed on the interest when you cash the bond. Some people report it each year as it accrues; others wait until redemption. State and local taxes vary by location. Talk to a tax professional about the best approach for your situation.
Is my bond still earning interest if I have not cashed it in twenty years?
It depends on the type. Series EE and I bonds stop earning interest after thirty years. Series HH bonds also stop at thirty years. If your bond is older than that, it is no longer growing in value and you should cash it.
What is the difference between the value the calculator shows and what the bank pays me?
There should be no difference. The calculator shows the exact redemption value. If a bank quotes you a different amount, ask them to explain the difference — it may be a calculation error or a misunderstanding about the bond type or issue date.