Rule of 69 definition — AccountingTools (2024)

What is the Rule of 69?

The Rule of 69 is used to estimate the amount of time it will take for an investment to double, assuming continuously compounded interest. The calculation is to divide 69 by the rate of return for an investment and then add 0.35 to the result. Doing so yields an approximately correct estimate of the time period required. For example, an investor finds that he can earn a 20% return on a property investment, and wants to know how long it will take to double his money. The calculation is:

(69 / 20) + 0.35 = 3.8 years to double his money

Using the Rule means that a prospective investment can be easily analyzed with a calculator, rather than needing an electronic spreadsheet for a more precise return calculation.

A variation on the concept is the Rule of 72, which is used for situations in which the rate of return is relatively low. The Rule of 72 yields less accurate results as the rate of return increases.

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Rule of 69 definition —  AccountingTools (2024)

FAQs

Rule of 69 definition — AccountingTools? ›

The Rule of 69 is used to estimate the amount of time it will take for an investment to double, assuming continuously compounded interest. The calculation is to divide 69 by the rate of return for an investment and then add 0.35 to the result.

What is the rule of 69 in accounting? ›

It's used to calculate the doubling time or growth rate of investment or business metrics. This helps accountants to predict how long it will take for a value to double. The rule of 69 is simple: divide 69 by the growth rate percentage. It will then tell you how many periods it'll take for the value to double.

What is the rule of 69 proof? ›

The formula is simple: 69 divided by your investment's annual return rate. So it would be… Annual Return (%) ➡️ Years to Double. 1% ➡️ 69.0 years (69/1)

What is the doubling rule of 69? ›

Rule of 69 is a general rule to estimate the time that is required to make the investment to be doubled, keeping the interest rate as a continuous compounding interest rate, i.e., the interest rate is compounding every moment.

Can you explain rule 72 and rule 69? ›

The main difference is that Rule of 72 considers simple compounding interest, whereas Rule of 69 considers continuous compounding interest. Additionally, the accuracy of Rule of 72 decreases with higher interest rates. However, you can use Rule of 69 for any interest rate.

What is the #1 rule in accounting? ›

Rule 1: Debit all expenses and losses, credit all incomes and gains. This golden accounting rule is applicable to nominal accounts. It considers a company's capital as a liability and thus has a credit balance. As a result, the capital will increase when gains and income get credited.

What is the golden rule when it comes to accounting? ›

The three golden rules of accounting are (1) debit all expenses and losses, credit all incomes and gains, (2) debit the receiver, credit the giver, and (3) debit what comes in, credit what goes out.

Is the rule of 69 more accurate than the rule of 70 and the Rule of 72? ›

Since daily compounding is close enough to continuous compounding, for most purposes 69, 69.3 or 70 are better than 72 for daily compounding. For lower annual rates than those above, 69.3 would also be more accurate than 72. For higher annual rates, 78 is more accurate.

What is the rule of 69 vs 70 vs 72? ›

According to the rule of 72, you'll double your money in 24 years (72 / 3 = 24). According to the rule of 70, you'll double your money in about 23.3 years (70 / 3 = 23.3). But, the rule of 69 says that you'll double your money in 23 years (69 / 3 = 23).

What is the rule of 67 in finance? ›

In an action in which any part of the relief sought is a judgment for a sum of money or the disposition of a sum of money or the disposition of any other thing capable of delivery, a party, upon notice to every other party, and by leave of court, may deposit with the court all or any part of such sum or thing.

What is the rule of 69 example? ›

The Rule of 69 is a simple calculation to estimate the time needed for an investment to double if you know the interest rate and if the interest is compound. For example, if a real estate investor can earn twenty percent on an investment, they divide 69 by the 20 percent return and add 0.35 to the result.

What is the difference between the rule of 72 and 69? ›

The Rule of 72 states that by dividing 72 by the annual interest rate, you can estimate the number of years required for an investment to double. The Rule of 69.3 is a more accurate formula for higher interest rates and is calculated by dividing 69.3 by the interest rate.

What is the rule of 69.3 compound interest? ›

As a result, this Rule gives more accurate results with a lower interest rate; as the interest rate increases, it loses its accuracy. Formula of the Rule of 69.3 is: Doubling time (number of years taken) = 69.3 / Annual interest rate.

What is Rule 72 in accounting? ›

Do you know the Rule of 72? It's an easy way to calculate just how long it's going to take for your money to double. Just take the number 72 and divide it by the interest rate you hope to earn. That number gives you the approximate number of years it will take for your investment to double.

What is the rule of 78 in accounting? ›

The Rule of 78 allocates pre-calculated interest charges that favor the lender over the borrower for short-term loans or if a loan is paid off early. The Rule of 78 methodology gives added weight to months in the earlier cycle of a loan, so a greater portion of interest is paid earlier.

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