Dividend Yield Calculator
Compute the current yield on any dividend stock, plus your total annual, monthly, and quarterly income. Free, no signup.
How dividend yield works
Dividend yield is the simplest, most common metric for a dividend stock. It tells you, as a percentage, how much income the stock pays each year relative to its current price. The formula is: yield = annual dividend ÷ price.
Two stocks with identical annual dividends can have very different yields depending on price. A $2 dividend on a $50 stock is a 4% yield; the same $2 dividend on a $25 stock is 8%. Yield is the price-relative version of dividend income — useful for comparing across stocks but not the whole story.
Yield only describes the cash-payment portion of return. To see the cash side plus capital appreciation and reinvested compounding, see the dividend reinvestment calculator. To see how your original purchase price compares to today’s dividend (a powerful metric for long-term holders), see the yield on cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- How is dividend yield calculated?
- Dividend yield = (annual dividend per share ÷ share price) × 100. A stock paying $2 per year at a $50 price has a 4% yield.
- What is a "good" dividend yield?
- Most dividend-paying US stocks yield 1–4%. REITs and BDCs commonly yield 4–8%. Yields above 8–10% deserve a second look — they often signal a falling share price or an unsustainable payout. Higher yield is not automatically better; it has to be supported by cashflow.
- Is yield the same as total return?
- No. Yield is just the dividend portion of return. Total return also includes share-price change. A 4% yielder that drops 10% in price has a negative total return for the year. Always look at total return for a complete picture.
- Does this account for dividend tax?
- No — this is gross yield. For after-tax projections including monthly contributions and reinvestment, use the Dividend Reinvestment Calculator.
- How often are dividends actually paid?
- Most US stocks pay quarterly. Some (mostly REITs and BDCs) pay monthly. A handful pay annually or semi-annually. The monthly figure here is the annualized dividend divided by 12 — it is what you would receive on average each month if the payments were spread evenly.
Related calculators
Yield on Cost Calculator
Compare current dividend to your original purchase price.
Dividend Reinvestment Calculator
Project future value with DRIP, contributions, and growth.
Compound Interest Calculator
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Stock Profit Calculator
Gain or loss on a single buy and sell.