Check your bond's current value on TreasuryDirect
The U.S. Treasury runs a free tool called the Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov. You enter the bond series (Series EE, Series I, or Series HH), the issue date printed on the bond itself, and the denomination (the face value, like $50 or $100). The calculator tells you exactly what that bond is worth right now.
You do not need to log into an account or provide any personal information. The calculator works for any bond issued since 1974. If you have multiple bonds, you run the calculation for each one separately and add them together.
The value changes monthly for Series I bonds (which earn interest tied to inflation) and every six months for Series EE bonds (which earn a fixed rate). The calculator always shows the value as of today's date, so if you check again next month, the number may be different.
Key Takeaways
- The Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov is free and requires only the series, issue date, and denomination from your physical bond.
- Series EE bonds earn interest every six months, and Series I bonds earn interest every month, so the value you see today will likely change next month or next period.
- If you own bonds issued before 1974, you can contact the Bureau of the Public Debt or use the Legacy Savings Bond Calculator for older issues.
- The value shown is what you would receive if you cashed the bond in today, minus any applicable penalties for early redemption.
Understand the difference between face value and current value
The number printed on your bond (like $50 or $100) is the face value or denomination. That is not what it is worth now. Most savings bonds are sold at a discount, meaning you paid less than face value when you bought them. For example, you might have paid $25 for a $50 Series EE bond.
The current value is what the bond has grown to through accumulated interest. A $50 Series EE bond you bought 20 years ago might now be worth $95 or $110, depending on the interest rate it earned. The calculator shows you this current value, not the face value.
When you cash in the bond, you receive the current value, not the face value. The difference between what you paid and what you receive is your earnings.
Know the redemption rules that affect what you receive
If you cash in a Series EE or Series I bond before it has been held for five years, you lose the last three months of interest. This is called the early redemption penalty. So if you bought a bond 4 years and 11 months ago, you would receive the value from 4 years and 8 months ago, not today's value.
Once a bond has been held for five years or longer, you can cash it in without penalty and receive the full current value shown in the calculator. Series HH bonds have different rules — they pay interest twice a year by check or direct deposit, and you do not redeem them the same way.
If a Series EE or Series I bond has reached final maturity (30 years for Series EE, 30 years for Series I), it stops earning interest. The value shown in the calculator is the final value it will ever have. You should cash it in, because holding it longer will not increase its worth.
Use the Legacy Savings Bond Calculator for bonds issued before 1974
If your bond was issued before 1974, the main Savings Bond Calculator will not work. The Treasury maintains a separate Legacy Savings Bond Calculator for older bonds. You can find it on treasurydirect.gov by searching for "legacy calculator."
The process is the same: you enter the series, issue date, and denomination. The legacy calculator covers bonds issued as far back as 1941. If you have a bond older than that, contact the Bureau of the Public Debt directly at 844-284-2676 or through their website.
Gather the information from your physical bond
To use either calculator, you need to read the information printed on the bond itself. Look for the series (usually printed as "Series EE," "Series I," or "Series HH"), the issue date (the month and year the bond was issued), and the denomination (the dollar amount, printed on the front).
If the bond is old or faded, you may need to hold it up to light or use a magnifying glass to read the print clearly. The issue date is critical — if you enter the wrong date, the calculator will give you the wrong value.
If you have lost the physical bond but remember when you bought it and what type it was, you can still estimate the value using the calculator, though the result will be approximate. For an exact value of a lost bond, you would need to contact the Treasury directly.
Understand how interest rates affect your bond's value
Series EE bonds earn a fixed interest rate that was set when you bought the bond. That rate never changes. If you bought a Series EE bond in 2010, it still earns the 2010 rate today. The calculator accounts for all the interest earned since the purchase date.
Series I bonds are different. They earn an interest rate that changes every six months based on inflation. The current rate is posted on treasurydirect.gov. If inflation rises, your Series I bond's rate rises with it. If inflation falls, the rate falls (but never below zero). The calculator shows the value including all interest earned at all the rates that have applied since you bought it.
Series HH bonds, which are no longer sold, earned a fixed rate and paid interest by check or direct deposit twice a year. If you own one, the calculator will show what it is worth, but you should know that HH bonds stopped earning interest 20 years after issue.
Check if your bond has reached final maturity
Series EE bonds stop earning interest 30 years after they are issued. Series I bonds also stop earning interest 30 years after issue. Once a bond reaches this point, its value is locked in. It will never be worth more, no matter how long you hold it.
The calculator will show you the final maturity date. If your bond has already passed that date, the value shown is the maximum you will ever receive. There is no reason to hold it longer. You can cash it in at a bank or through TreasuryDirect without penalty.
Series HH bonds reached final maturity 20 years after issue. If you own an HH bond, check the issue date. If it was issued more than 20 years ago, it has stopped earning interest and you should consider cashing it in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the calculator shows a value lower than I expected?
Double-check that you entered the correct series, issue date, and denomination. A common mistake is entering the wrong year. Also, if your bond is less than five years old and you plan to cash it in soon, remember that you will lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. That accounts for some of the difference between what you might have calculated and what the calculator shows.
Can I check the value of a bond someone else owns?
Yes. The calculator does not require you to prove ownership. You only need the series, issue date, and denomination printed on the bond. If you are helping a family member or estate executor find bond values, you can use the calculator for any bond you have the information from.
Does the calculator show what I will owe in taxes?
No. The calculator shows only the current value of the bond. When you cash it in, you will owe federal income tax on the interest earned (the difference between what you paid and what you receive). State and local taxes may also explore depending on where you live. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.
What if I bought the bond through a payroll savings plan and do not have the physical bond?
Contact the company's human resources or benefits department. They should have records of the bonds purchased on your behalf, including the series, issue dates, and denominations. Once you have that information, you can use the calculator. You can then request the physical bonds be sent to you, or in some cases, you may be able to redeem them directly through the company.
How often should I check my bond's value?
Series EE bonds update their value every six months (in May and November). Series I bonds update every month (on the first of the month). There is no reason to check more often than that, since the value will not change between update dates. If you are planning to cash in a bond, check the value right after an update date to see the most current figure.