Finding your 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 series (Series EE, Series I, or Series HH), the issue date printed on the bond itself, and the denomination you paid for it. The calculator then shows you what that bond is worth on any date you choose, including today.
You do not need to own the bond or have an account anywhere to use this tool — it works for anyone who wants to know a bond's value. The calculator accounts for the interest that has accumulated since you bought it, which is the main reason the current value differs from what you originally paid.
If you have lost the bond or cannot read the issue date clearly, you can still estimate the value by knowing the series and the year it was issued, though the calculator works best with an exact date.
Key Takeaways
- The Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov shows the exact current value of any bond when you enter its series, issue date, and denomination.
- Series EE bonds are worth at least the amount you paid for them after 20 years, and they continue earning interest for up to 30 years total.
- Series I bonds earn interest in two parts: a fixed rate set when you buy the bond, plus a variable rate that changes every six months based on inflation.
- You can look up a lost bond's value if you know the series and approximate issue year, though an exact date gives you the most accurate result.
- Bonds held in TreasuryDirect accounts show their current value in your online account dashboard without needing to use the calculator.
How interest accumulates on Series EE bonds
Series EE bonds earn interest monthly, but the interest compounds semiannually — meaning every six months, the interest you have earned so far gets added to your principal, and then the next month's interest is calculated on that larger amount. This is why a bond's value grows faster over time even if the interest rate stays the same.
The interest rate on Series EE bonds is set by the Treasury and changes every six months. When you buy a Series EE bond, you lock in a rate that applies for the entire 30-year life of the bond. The Treasury announces the new rate on the first business day of May and November each year.
Series EE bonds have a special may provide: if you hold one for 20 years, it will be worth at least double what you paid for it. If the accumulated interest has not reached that point by year 20, the Treasury adds a one-time adjustment to bring it to exactly double. After 20 years, the bond continues earning interest at its original rate until it reaches 30 years old, at which point it stops earning interest and you should cash it in.
How interest accumulates on Series I bonds
Series I bonds work differently from Series EE bonds because their interest rate has two moving parts. When you buy a Series I bond, you receive a fixed rate that never changes for the entire 30-year life of the bond, plus a variable rate that is recalculated every six months based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation.
The variable rate is announced on the first business day of May and November. The Treasury takes the average inflation rate for the previous six months and uses that to set the new variable rate for the next six months. This means your Series I bond's total interest rate changes twice a year, even though the fixed portion stays constant.
Like Series EE bonds, Series I bonds earn interest monthly and compound semiannually. The Savings Bond Calculator accounts for all of these rate changes automatically, so the value it shows you reflects the exact interest earned through the date you enter.
Checking bonds in your TreasuryDirect account
If you own bonds through a TreasuryDirect account (the Treasury's online platform where you can buy and manage bonds directly), you can see their current value by logging in and viewing your account dashboard. The system updates bond values daily, so you can check anytime without using the separate calculator.
Your TreasuryDirect account shows each bond's purchase price, current value, the interest earned so far, and the date you can cash it in without penalty. For Series I bonds, it also displays the fixed rate and the current variable rate.
If you bought bonds through a bank or broker instead of TreasuryDirect, those institutions may also show you the current value in your account with them, though the Savings Bond Calculator is always available as a backup.
What happens to bonds held in paper form
Paper savings bonds — the physical certificates you may have received years ago — continue earning interest even though they are no longer sold. A paper bond's value grows the same way as a bond held electronically: interest compounds semiannually for 30 years total.
The Savings Bond Calculator works for paper bonds just as it does for electronic ones. You will need the series, issue date, and denomination printed on the certificate. If the certificate is old or faded, you can still use the calculator with an approximate year, though the result will be less precise.
Paper bonds can be cashed in at most banks, though some banks now require you to mail them to the Treasury instead. The Treasury's website lists which banks in your area still accept paper bonds for redemption.
Understanding the difference between value and redemption
A bond's current value (what the calculator shows) is not always the same as what you will receive if you cash it in today. Most bonds have a redemption penalty if you cash them in before a certain number of years have passed.
Series EE and Series I bonds can be cashed in anytime after one year of ownership, but if you cash them in before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest. This means if you bought a bond 18 months ago, you would receive the bond's value as of 15 months ago, not its current value.
After five years, you can cash in the bond anytime and receive its full current value with no penalty. The Savings Bond Calculator shows the full accumulated value, so if you are thinking about cashing in a bond that is less than five years old, subtract three months of interest from the calculator's result to see what you would actually receive.
Locating a lost or forgotten bond
If you remember buying a savings bond but cannot find the certificate, you can search the Treasury's Savings Bond Database at treasurydirect.gov. This database contains records of all paper bonds issued since 1974 that were never cashed in. You search by the bond owner's name and Social Security number.
The database will tell you whether a bond is registered in your name and, if so, the series, denomination, and issue date. Once you have that information, you can use the Savings Bond Calculator to find out what it is worth. If the bond is found, you can file a claim with the Treasury to have it reissued in electronic form so you can cash it in.
Bonds issued before 1974 are not in the online database, but you can still contact the Treasury's Savings Bond Division by mail to search for them. The process takes longer but works the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Savings Bond Calculator if I do not remember the exact issue date?
Yes. If you know the series and the year the bond was issued, you can enter January 1 of that year as an estimate. The result will be close but not exact. For a more precise answer, try to find the original purchase receipt or documentation, which usually shows the exact date.
Why is my bond worth less than I expected?
The most common reason is that the bond is less than five years old and has not yet earned much interest, or that interest rates have been very low during the time you held it. Series EE bonds issued during periods of low rates earn less per year than those issued when rates were higher. Series I bonds earn more when inflation is higher, so a bond purchased during a low-inflation period will be worth less than one purchased during high inflation.
What is the difference between the value the calculator shows and what I will actually receive if I cash it in?
If your bond is less than five years old, you will receive the calculator's value minus three months of interest. If your bond is five years old or older, you will receive the full value the calculator shows. The calculator does not automatically subtract the early redemption penalty, so you have to do that math yourself if needed.
Do I need to report the value of my savings bonds on my taxes?
Savings bonds earn federal income tax, but you can choose when to report that interest. Most people report it in the year they cash in the bond. Some people report it every year instead. The choice depends on your tax situation, so speaking with a tax professional about your specific bonds is a good idea.