How to find your savings bond's current value
The U.S. Treasury runs a free tool called the Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov that tells you exactly what your bond is worth right now. You enter three pieces of information: the bond series (Series EE, Series I, or Series HH), the issue date printed on the bond, and the denomination (the face value printed on it). The calculator then shows you the current redemption value — what you would receive if you cashed it in today.
You do not need to log into an account or provide personal information. The calculator works for any bond issued since 1974. If you have a physical bond in a drawer, you can look at it right now and use the numbers printed on the front. If your bonds are held electronically in a TreasuryDirect account, you can also log in and see the value of each bond listed there.
The value changes every month for Series I bonds (inflation bonds) because the interest rate adjusts. For Series EE bonds (fixed-rate bonds), the value grows on a set schedule, so you can predict what it will be worth at any future date. The calculator shows both the current value and what it will be worth at maturity if you hold it longer.
Key Takeaways
- The Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov shows your bond's current worth in seconds using only the series, issue date, and denomination.
- Series I bonds change value every month because the interest rate is tied to inflation, while Series EE bonds grow on a predictable schedule.
- If you own bonds electronically through TreasuryDirect, you can log in and see each bond's value listed in your account.
- Bonds continue to earn interest for up to 30 years, so a bond worth $50 today might be worth significantly more if you hold it longer.
- If you have lost your bond or cannot find the issue date, the Treasury can search their records, but the process takes several weeks.
Understanding the difference between face value and current value
The number printed on your bond — say $50 or $100 — is called the face value or denomination. This is not what the bond is worth today. When you buy a Series EE bond, you typically pay half the face value upfront. So a $100 bond costs $50 to purchase. Over time, the bond earns interest and grows toward that $100 face value and beyond.
The current value is what you would actually receive if you cashed the bond in right now. For a Series EE bond purchased years ago, this might be $75 or $95 or more than $100, depending on how long you have held it. For a Series I bond, the current value depends on the inflation rate that was in effect when you bought it and what the current inflation rate is.
Bonds keep earning interest month after month, so the current value is always changing — even if you do nothing. This is why checking the calculator every few years is useful: a bond you thought was worth $50 might now be worth $65.
What happens if you cannot find your bond's issue date
If you have a physical bond but the date is faded or missing, or if you inherited bonds and do not have the paperwork, the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service can search their records. You will need to fill out Form PD F 1048 and mail it to the address listed on the form, along with any identifying information you have: your name, the bond series, the denomination, and approximately when it was issued.
This process typically takes four to eight weeks. The Treasury will send you a statement showing the bond's issue date and current value. If you have many bonds and need this information quickly, this route can be slow, but it is the only way to get an official record if the bond itself is damaged or unclear.
If your bonds are held in a TreasuryDirect account, you do not need to search for anything — all the information is already there, and you can see current values when ready by logging in.
How interest rates affect what your bond is worth
Series EE bonds earn a fixed interest rate that was set when you bought the bond. That rate never changes. So if you bought a Series EE bond in 2010 at a 0.6% annual rate, it still earns 0.6% every year, even though current rates might be higher or lower. The calculator accounts for this automatically: it knows your bond's original rate and how many months have passed, so it can tell you the exact value.
Series I bonds work differently. The interest rate on an I bond is made up of two parts: a fixed rate (set when you buy) and a variable rate (based on inflation, adjusted every six months). When the inflation rate changes, the total rate on your I bond changes too. This is why I bonds are worth different amounts depending on when you check — the value can jump up or down when the Treasury announces a new inflation rate.
The calculator updates automatically to reflect the current inflation rate, so the value it shows for an I bond is always current as of that day.
When you can cash in your bond and get its full value
You can cash in a Series EE or Series I bond at any time after you have held it for one year. However, if you cash it in before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. So if you bought a bond on January 1 and cashed it in on March 1 of the same year, you would not receive any interest at all.
After five years, you can cash the bond in without any penalty and receive the full current value shown in the calculator. After 30 years, the bond stops earning interest, so there is no reason to hold it longer — the value will not grow anymore.
Series HH bonds (older bonds, no longer sold) have different rules: they must be held for at least six months before cashing, and they pay interest by check twice a year rather than adding it to the bond's value.
Checking the value of bonds you inherited
If you inherited savings bonds from a parent or relative, you can use the calculator the same way — you just need the series, issue date, and denomination from the bond itself or from any paperwork left behind. The value shown is what the bond is worth at that moment, regardless of who owns it.
Inherited bonds continue to earn interest from their original issue date. A bond issued 20 years ago is still earning interest today, and the calculator will show you the full accumulated value. You do not need to do anything special to "set up" an inherited bond — it has been earning interest all along.
If you plan to cash in inherited bonds, keep in mind that you may owe taxes on the interest earned. The interest is taxable income in the year you cash the bond, though you can sometimes spread the tax over multiple years depending on your situation. A tax professional can advise you on the best timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the value of bonds I own if they are in someone else's name?
No. Only the registered owner or an authorized representative can see the value in a TreasuryDirect account. If you have a physical bond, you can use the calculator with the information printed on it, but you cannot access electronic records for bonds registered to another person without legal authority.
Why does the calculator show a different value than what my bank told me?
Banks sometimes use outdated interest rates or do not account for the most recent inflation adjustment (for I bonds). The Treasury's official calculator is always current. If there is a large difference, contact the Treasury directly or check your TreasuryDirect account, which shows the authoritative value.
What if my bond is worth less than I paid for it?
This can happen with Series I bonds if you bought them during a high-inflation period and inflation has since dropped. The fixed portion of your rate stays the same, but the variable portion can go down. You are not required to cash it in — you can hold it longer and wait for rates to rise again, or cash it in at the current value whenever you choose.
Do I need to report the value of my bonds to anyone?
You do not report the value itself. When you cash in a bond, you owe federal income tax on the interest earned (the difference between what you paid and what you received). State taxes may also explore depending on where you live. Keep records of the purchase price and redemption value for your tax records.
Can the Treasury tell me what my lost bond was worth?
Yes, if you file a claim for a lost or stolen bond. You will need to provide as much information as you can: the series, approximate issue date, and denomination. The Treasury can search their records and tell you what the bond was worth at the time of loss, and they can issue a replacement or a check for the value. This process requires Form PD F 1048 and takes several weeks.