Quadrupling Time Calculator

Written by:
PK

How long until your investment quadruples? This quadrupling time calculator tells you how many periods it takes for a quantity to reach 4× its starting value given a constant growth rate.

Quadrupling Time Calculator

Using the quadrupling time calculator

Enter your expected Rate per period as a percentage. The calculator instantly shows how many periods it takes to quadruple.

The period can be whatever timeframe matches your rate: if you enter an annual return, you get years; monthly return, months.

The quadrupling time formula

The formula for quadrupling time is:

\text{quadrupling time} = \frac{\ln(4)}{\ln(1 + r)}

Where r is the rate per period as a decimal (e.g., 7% = 0.07).

Example: quadrupling at 7%

How long to quadruple an investment growing at 7% per year?

t = \frac{\ln(4)}{\ln(1.07)} = \frac{1.386}{0.068} \approx 20.49 \text{ years}

The Rule of 144

For quadrupling, you can use the Rule of 144:

\text{Quadrupling time} \approx \frac{144}{\text{rate \%}}

At 8%, money quadruples in roughly 144 / 8 = 18 years. At 6%, about 144 / 6 = 24 years.

Why 144? It's exactly twice 72 (the Rule of 72 for doubling). And that makes sense – quadrupling is just doubling twice: 2 × 2 = 4.

Quadrupling = doubling twice

Here's a useful insight: quadrupling time is exactly twice the doubling time at the same rate. Since ln(4) = ln(2²) = 2 × ln(2), the formula gives exactly double the doubling time.

If your investment doubles in 10 years, it quadruples in 20 years. Simple.

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PK

PK started DQYDJ in 2009 to research and discuss finance and investing and help answer financial questions. He's expanded DQYDJ to build visualizations, calculators, and interactive tools.

PK lives in New Hampshire with his wife, kids, and dog.

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