How this calculator works
Net worth is one of the simplest and most useful numbers in personal finance: everything you own, minus everything you owe. This calculator adds up common asset categories — cash, investments, retirement accounts, home value, vehicles, and anything else of value — then subtracts common liabilities like a mortgage, other loans, and credit card balances.
The math itself is trivial; the value is in the structured breakdown. Tracking the same categories the same way over time turns a single snapshot into a trend line, which is often more informative than any one net worth figure on its own.
The formula
Total assets = Cash + Investments + Retirement accounts + Home value + Vehicles + Other assetsTotal liabilities = Mortgage + Other loans + Credit card balances + Other liabilitiesNet worth = Total assets − Total liabilitiesWorked example
- Assets: $10,000 cash + $50,000 investments + $80,000 retirement + $300,000 home value + $15,000 vehicles + $5,000 other = $460,000 total assets.
- Liabilities: $200,000 mortgage + $10,000 other loans + $5,000 credit cards + $2,000 other = $217,000 total liabilities.
- Net worth = 460,000 − 217,000 = $243,000.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use my home's market value or its purchase price?
Use your best current estimate of market value, such as a recent appraisal or a comparable-sales estimate, since net worth reflects what assets are worth now, not what you originally paid.
Should retirement accounts count at their full balance?
Most net worth calculations include retirement accounts at their current balance, even though withdrawals may eventually be taxed. Some people track a separate "after-tax net worth" that discounts tax-deferred accounts by an estimated future tax rate — this calculator uses full balances, the more common convention.
Is a negative net worth unusual?
It is common, especially earlier in life or shortly after taking on a mortgage or student loans, when liabilities can exceed accumulated assets. Net worth is a snapshot that typically improves over time as debts are paid down and savings grow.
How often should I recalculate my net worth?
Many people find quarterly or annual check-ins frequent enough to see a meaningful trend without over-focusing on short-term market swings in investment or home values.
Does a car's value still count if it's a depreciating asset?
Yes. A vehicle counts as an asset at its current market value just like any other asset category, even though it will likely be worth less at your next recalculation. Net worth is a snapshot of what everything is worth right now, not a projection of future value, so a depreciating asset like a car simply shows up at a lower figure the next time you update the snapshot.