How to calculate XIRR manually?

Asked by: Dr. Wanda Pagac MD  |  Last update: July 17, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (47 votes)

To calculate XIRR manually, list all irregular cash flows and their exact dates in a spreadsheet, with initial investments as negative numbers and withdrawals/final value as positive; then, find the rate (r) where the sum of each cash flow discounted to the present (CF / (1+r)^days/365) equals zero, a process often done iteratively or by using a goal-seek function in Excel to solve the equation ∑ 𝐶 𝑡 ( 1 + 𝑟 ) 𝑡 = 0 𝐶 𝑡 ( 1 + 𝑟 ) 𝑡 = 0 , where 𝐶 𝑡 𝐶 𝑡 is the cash flow at time 𝑡 𝑡 , and 𝑡 𝑡 is the time in days divided by 365.

What does 12% XIRR mean?

XIRR is also known as the Extended Internal Rate of Return. It indicates the overall annual return of your mutual fund investments when you've invested multiple times, like in SIPs. It helps calculate accurate returns by considering both the amount and timing of each investment and redemption.

How to manually calculate XIRR in Excel?

Steps to Calculate XIRR in Excel:

  1. Input the Data: Ensure your dates are in one column and the corresponding cash flows in the adjacent column. For example, in cells: A1 for cash flows and B1 for dates.
  2. Use the XIRR Function: In a new cell, enter the formula: =XIRR(A2:A5, B2:B5)

What is 15% XIRR?

Assume Excel returns an XIRR of 15%. It means your investment in the mutual fund has generated an annualized return of 15%, considering all contributions, dividends, and the final investment value.

How accurate are XIRR calculators?

XIRR takes into account the exact date of every installment, lump sum, and withdrawal, rather than assuming all investments were made at the same time. For this reason, an sip investment planner may recommend using an XIRR calculator sip to review performance, as it provides the most accurate measure of returns.

A look at Excel's XIRR function

42 related questions found

How do I calculate my XIRR?

The formula for XIRR is: XIRR = (NPV of Cash Flows / Initial Investment) × 100. The ideal XIRR varies based on the type of fund and individual financial goals. For example, a conservative debt fund might target an XIRR of 5–6%, while an aggressive small-cap fund may aim for 12–15%.

Is XIRR of 20% good?

Ans: Hello; It is great to get a XIRR of around 20%.

What are the common mistakes using XIRR?

When inputting cash flows into the IRR and XIRR functions, use the correct signs for inflows (positive values) and outflows (negative values). A common mistake is forgetting to make all cash flow entries consistent with this rule.

How does the XIRR formula work?

It will calculate the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for a series of cash flows that may not be periodic. It does this by assigning specific dates to each individual cash flow. The main benefit of using the XIRR Excel function is that such unevenly timed cash flows can be accurately modeled.

Is XIRR daily compounding?

While XIRR follows an annual compounding convention, the compounding duration is captured within the exponent (i.e. “#days/365”) as any fraction of a year, enabling the compounding calculation at any given day.

Is XIRR equal to annual return?

Yes, XIRR is perfectly suited for SIP investments and provides the most accurate measure of returns for systematic investments. Since SIPs involve multiple transactions at different NAVs, XIRR accounts for both the timing and amount of each investment, giving you the true annualised return on your SIP portfolio.

Is 10.5 XIRR good?

XIRR, on the other hand, is better suited when:

For example, if you invested ₹10,000 over several months and ended with ₹12,000, the absolute return is 20%. But XIRR may show 10.5% annually, which gives more context, especially for comparing with other funds or benchmarks.

What is the 15 * 15 * 15 rule?

The "15-15 rule" primarily refers to treating low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) by consuming 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, waiting 15 minutes, and then rechecking blood sugar; repeat if still low, then follow with a balanced snack. Less commonly, it can refer to an investment principle: investing ₹15,000 monthly in a mutual fund at a 15% return for 15 years to potentially become a crorepati (millionaire).

What does 30% XIRR mean?

In plain language, xirr is the annualised rate at which the present value of all cash outflows (investments) equals the present value of all cash inflows (redemptions or the current value). Because each cash flow is dated, xirr automatically handles monthly SIPs, irregular amounts, pauses, and switches.

How much XIRR to double money in 3 years?

How much XIRR to double in 3 years? To double your investment in 3 years, you need an approximate XIRR of 24% per annum as per the Rule of 72. 72 divided by the number of years (72/3 = 24).