What is the difference between APR and APY?

APR is the simple annual rate; APY includes compounding. At 8% compounded daily, APY = (1 + 0.08/365)³⁶⁵ − 1 = 8.33%.

How often should rewards compound?

Whatever your protocol or validator actually does — daily for most auto-compounding vaults, per-epoch for many PoS chains, or never if you don't restake. Pick the matching frequency here.

Why do my actual rewards differ from the projection?

Staking rates float with network participation, validator performance and fee income; the calculator assumes the entered rate holds for the whole period.

Are staking rewards in tokens or dollars?

Rewards accrue in the staked token; this tool measures growth in token-value terms. Convert with your price expectation for fiat projections.

Do validator commissions matter?

Yes — the advertised network rate is often gross. Subtract the validator's commission (e.g. 10% of rewards) from the APR before entering it.

What is a realistic staking rate?

Major PoS chains have ranged roughly 3–8% gross; double-digit rates usually involve inflationary token emissions or extra risk. Treat very high APYs sceptically.

Crypto

Staking Rewards Calculator

Calculate staking rewards from principal, APR and compounding frequency — final balance, total rewards and the effective APY behind the advertised rate.

Staking rewards are the yield earned for locking a proof-of-stake token; the effective APY exceeds the quoted APR when rewards compound.

Final balance

$5,416.39

Rewards earned: $416.39
Effective APY: 8.33%

Growth is in token terms at a constant rate; token price changes and slashing are not modelled.

Worked example

A holder stakes $5,000 at an advertised 8% APR with rewards auto-compounded daily for one year.

Daily rate: 8% ÷ 365 = 0.0219%
Effective APY: (1 + 0.08/365)³⁶⁵ − 1 = 8.33%
Final balance: $5,000 × 1.0833 = $5,416.39
Rewards: $416.39

Daily compounding turns the 8% APR into an 8.33% effective APY — $416 of rewards on $5,000 in a year. Without compounding, simple interest would pay exactly $400.

How this is calculated

With compounding n times per year at APR r:

final = principal × (1 + r/n)^(n × years)
APY = (1 + r/n)^n − 1

The more frequent the compounding, the larger the gap between APR and APY: 8% APR is 8.30% APY monthly and 8.33% daily. With compounding off, rewards are simple interest: principal × r × years.

Everything is measured in the staked token. The fiat outcome also depends on the token's price over the period, which no yield calculator can promise.

When to use this calculator

Use this to translate an advertised staking APR into what actually lands in your wallet: the effective APY at your compounding frequency, and the token rewards over your intended horizon.

It is the quickest way to compare offers quoted inconsistently — one platform's 8% APR compounded daily against another's 8.2% APY flat — by reducing both to the same effective annual figure.

Run it net of realities: subtract validator commission from the rate, and remember rewards accrue in a token whose price moves; the output is growth in token terms, not a fiat guarantee.

Common mistakes

Reading APR as APY — the advertised APR ignores compounding, and the gap grows with the rate and frequency.
Quoting rewards in tokens while ignoring the token's price change — a 12% token yield on an asset down 40% is still a loss in fiat terms.
Ignoring lock-ups, unbonding periods and slashing risk, which change whether the yield is worth the illiquidity.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between APR and APY?: APR is the simple annual rate; APY includes compounding. At 8% compounded daily, APY = (1 + 0.08/365)³⁶⁵ − 1 = 8.33%.
How often should rewards compound?: Whatever your protocol or validator actually does — daily for most auto-compounding vaults, per-epoch for many PoS chains, or never if you don't restake. Pick the matching frequency here.
Why do my actual rewards differ from the projection?: Staking rates float with network participation, validator performance and fee income; the calculator assumes the entered rate holds for the whole period.
Are staking rewards in tokens or dollars?: Rewards accrue in the staked token; this tool measures growth in token-value terms. Convert with your price expectation for fiat projections.
Do validator commissions matter?: Yes — the advertised network rate is often gross. Subtract the validator's commission (e.g. 10% of rewards) from the APR before entering it.
What is a realistic staking rate?: Major PoS chains have ranged roughly 3–8% gross; double-digit rates usually involve inflationary token emissions or extra risk. Treat very high APYs sceptically.