How to tell if an IRR is good?

Asked by: Tatum Hansen Jr.  |  Last update: June 30, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (18 votes)

A good Internal Rate of Return (IRR) typically exceeds an investor's required rate of return, cost of capital, or hurdle rate. Generally, high-teens to 20%+ is considered strong, though it varies by risk: 10-15% for moderate risk and 20-30%+ for venture capital/high-risk investments. A "good" IRR is subjective and depends on comparing it to alternative investments, the project's specific risk profile, and the timing of cash flows.

How to know if the IRR is good?

What's considered a “good” IRR can vary based on the type of investment you're making. In general, many early-stage VC investors target a 30% net IRR, while many later-stage VC and growth equity PE investors target a net IRR of around 20% (both, over an average period of eight years).

How to check if IRR is correct?

One quick way of checking that the calculated IRR is correct for a project is to insert the IRR % value answer as the minimum return % that is used to calculate the NPV.

How much IRR is considered good?

Real estate investments often target an IRR in the range of 10% to 20%. However, these numbers can vary: Conservative Investments: For lower-risk, stable properties, a good IRR might be around 8% to 12%.

How do you interpret an IRR result?

The internal rate of return (IRR) is a metric used to estimate the return on an investment. The higher the IRR, the better the return of an investment. As the same calculation applies to varying investments, it can be used to rank all investments to help determine which is the best.

IRR Explained for Real Estate Investors (Is Internal Rate of Return the Best Metric?)

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What does a 12% IRR mean?

A higher IRR indicates a more attractive investment opportunity. For example, if a solar project has an IRR of 12%, it means the investment is expected to generate returns equivalent to earning 12% annually on the invested capital.

Is an IRR of 18% good?

Generally, an IRR of 18% or 20% is considered very good in real estate. Generally speaking, a high percentage return (greater than 10%) indicates a successful investment, while a low IRR (less than 5%) might mean investors should reconsider their investment options.

What is the 70 20 10 rule in investing?

The 70/20/10 rule in investing refers to two main concepts: a personal budgeting guideline (70% spending, 20% saving/investing, 10% debt/giving) and a portfolio risk allocation (70% low-risk, 20% medium-risk, 10% high-risk), both designed to balance immediate needs with long-term growth and security. It's a flexible framework, adapting to rising costs, that helps manage money by prioritizing essentials, future wealth, and extra financial goals like debt reduction or charity.
 

What is the rule of thumb for IRR?

So the rule of thumb is that, for “double your money” scenarios, you take 100%, divide by the # of years, and then estimate the IRR as about 75-80% of that value. For example, if you double your money in 3 years, 100% / 3 = 33%. 75% of 33% is about 25%, which is the approximate IRR in this case.

What does a 22% IRR mean?

"22 IRR" means an investment is expected to yield an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 22%, representing the annualized rate of profit where the present value of future cash inflows equals the initial investment, making it a measure of profitability often compared to a company's cost of capital or hurdle rate. For many investors, especially in private equity or real estate, a 22% IRR is considered a strong return, signaling a potentially good investment opportunity.
 

What is a good IRR for 5 years?

Understanding IRR helps investors and business owners evaluate the profitability of investments over a five-year horizon. A good IRR typically exceeds your cost of capital, indicating value creation. High-growth investments often target IRRs between 20% and 30%, depending on risk.

What does a 14% IRR mean?

While ROI measures total percentage return over a project's lifetime, IRR calculates the annualized growth rate, showing how quickly your investment compounds. When executives choose a project with 18% IRR over one with higher total ROI but only 14% IRR, they're prioritizing faster returns over larger total gains.

What does a 30% IRR mean?

What's an IRR of 30% Mean? An IRR of 30% means that the rate of return on an investment using projected discounted cash flows will equal the initial investment amount when the net present value (NPV) is zero. In this case, when the time value of money factors are applied to the cash flows, the resulting IRR is 30%.

What is a bad IRR?

A negative IRR typically indicates that a project will generate less than the initial investment, leading to a financial loss, which is usually considered undesirable.

What is the $27.39 rule?

The "27.39 rule" (often rounded to $27.40) is a simple financial strategy to save $10,000 in one year by consistently setting aside $27.40 every single day, making it an achievable micro-saving habit to build wealth or an emergency fund. It turns the daunting goal of saving $10,000 into a manageable daily action, emphasizing consistency over large lump sums.

Is 10x a 1000% return?

Yes, a 10x return means your investment grew to 10 times its original value, which is a 900% profit (gain) or a total value of 1000% of the original, but it's often loosely called a 1000% return by some, though technically it's a 900% gain (the final value is 1100%). A 10x return means you get your initial investment back plus 9 times that amount in profit (e.g., $1 becomes $10, a $9 profit).

How long will $500,000 last using the 4% rule?

Your $500,000 can give you about $20,000 each year using the 4% rule, and it could last over 30 years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows retirees spend around $54,000 yearly. Smart investments can make your savings last longer.

What is the 110% rule?

The "110% rule" generally refers to two different concepts: an IRS safe harbor for avoiding estimated tax penalties, requiring high-income earners to pay 110% of their previous year's tax, and a investment guideline (Rule of 110) suggesting subtracting your age from 110 to find your stock allocation percentage; it can also refer to Florida property tax rules for rebuilding homes, allowing 110% square footage at old valuation after disasters. The most common tax context means if your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) was over $150k, you must pay 110% of last year's tax via quarterly payments or face penalties, while the investment rule suggests a portfolio mix like 70% stocks for a 40-year-old (110-40=70).