When to use the rule of 70 vs 72?

Asked by: Dr. Herman Emard III  |  Last update: September 22, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (45 votes)

The Rule of 70 is most effective when dealing with lower growth rates, typically under 10%. It is particularly useful for long-term investments with modest growth rates, such as retirement savings or bonds. The Rule of 72 is better suited for higher growth rates, typically above 10%.

What is the best use of the rule of 70?

The rule of 70 is used to determine the number of years it takes for a variable to double by dividing the number 70 by the variable's growth rate. The rule of 70 is generally used to determine how long it would take for an investment to double given the annual rate of return.

When can you use the Rule of 72?

The Rule of 72 is a simplified formula that calculates how long it'll take for an investment to double in value, based on its rate of return. The Rule of 72 applies to compounded interest rates and is reasonably accurate for interest rates that fall in the range of 6% and 10%.

Why do you use 70 for doubling time?

The Rule of 70 helps investors determine the future value of an investment. Although considered a rough estimate, the rule provides the years it takes for an investment to double. The Rule of 70 is an accepted way to manage exponential growth concepts without complex mathematical procedures.

What is a situation in which you would use the Rule of 72?

72 ÷ number of years in which you want the investment to double = targeted annual rate of return. For instance, if you know you want your money to double in 6 years, the rule of 72 would have you looking for an investment with an annual rate of return of around 12% (72÷6=12).

What is the difference between the rule of 70 and the Rule of 72?

26 related questions found

When to use the rule of 70 or 72?

The Rule of 70 is most effective when dealing with lower growth rates, typically under 10%. It is particularly useful for long-term investments with modest growth rates, such as retirement savings or bonds. The Rule of 72 is better suited for higher growth rates, typically above 10%.

Does the Rule of 72 really work?

The rule of 72 is only an approximation that is accurate for a range of interest rate (from 6% to 10%). Outside that range the error will vary from 2.4% to 14.0%.

What can the rule of 70 be used to calculate?

The Rule of 70 is a simple formula used to estimate the time it takes for an investment or an economy to double in size based on its growth rate. By dividing 70 by the growth rate percentage, you can quickly determine the doubling time.

How do you use the 70 rule?

The 70% rule is a guideline that real estate investors use to estimate the maximum price to pay for a potential investment property. It suggests that an investor should only pay 70% of the After Repair Value (ARV) of a property, minus the cost of repairs and renovations needed.

What is the 70% rule for retirement?

The 70% rule for retirement savings says your estimated retirement spending will be 70% of your pre-retirement, post-tax income. Multiplying your post-tax income by 70% can give you an idea of how much you may spend once you retire.

What is the Rule of 72 for dummies?

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. To calculate, take the number 72 and divide it by the rate of return you hope to earn. That number gives you the approximate number of years it will take for your money to double.

What is the 8 4 3 rule of compounding?

As per this thumb rule, the first 8 years is a period where money grows steadily, the next 4 years is where it accelerates and the next 3 years is where the snowball effect takes place.

How can I double $5000 dollars in a year?

10+ Ways to Double $5,000
  1. Start a Side Hustle. Perhaps the most common method of making more money is starting a side hustle. ...
  2. Invest in Stocks and Bonds. ...
  3. Day Trade. ...
  4. Save More Money. ...
  5. Buy and Resell Items on Amazon and eBay. ...
  6. Build an eCommerce Business. ...
  7. Sell Your Stuff. ...
  8. Earn cashback When You Shop.

What is the 10 5 3 rule?

The 10,5,3 rule will assist you in determining your investment's average rate of return. Though mutual funds offer no guarantees, according to this law, long-term equity investments should yield 10% returns, whereas debt instruments should yield 5%. And the average rate of return on savings bank accounts is around 3%.

What is the rule of 70 for severance?

The “Rule of 70” is a guideline used to determine the amount of severance pay an employee should receive. It considers the employee's age and years of service, with the total equaling 70. For example, an employee aged 50 with 20 years of service would qualify under this rule.

What is the 70% rule productivity?

According to the 70 percent rule, which has its roots in athletics, employees are most productive when a majority of their time is spent working at a less intense pace. That way, when work demands increase temporarily, employees have the reserve strength to meet those demands.

How do you use the rule of 70?

The Rule of 70 Formula

Hence, the doubling time is simply 70 divided by the constant annual growth rate. For instance, consider a quantity that grows consistently at 5% annually. According to the Rule of 70, it will take 14 years (70/5) for the quantity to double.

How to determine if a house is worth flipping?

How Do I Know If a Property is Worth Flipping?
  1. A price below the market value.
  2. Suitable property records.
  3. Promising ARV.
  4. Minor Repairs.

What is the difference between the rule of 70 and the Rule of 72?

Application: The Rule of 72 is widely used in finance for calculating interest rates, investment growth, and inflation impacts. The Rule of 70 is primarily used in economic contexts, such as estimating population growth or GDP doubling time, where growth rates are typically lower.

What can the rule of 70 be used to estimate?

The rule of 70 approximates how long it will take for the size of an economy to double. The number of years it takes for a country's economy to double in size is equal to 70 divided by the growth rate, in percent.

What is the Rule of 72 used in calculating the?

The Rule of 72 is a way to estimate how long it will take for an investment to double at a given interest rate, assuming a fixed annual rate of interest. You simply take 72 and divide it by the interest rate number.

Why does the rule of 70 work?

The reason why the rule of 70 is popular in finance is because it offers a simple way to manage complicated exponential growth. It breaks down growth formulas into a simple equation using the number 70 alongside the rate of return.

What is the golden Rule of 72?

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 $1 rule?

Before buying an item, figure out how many times you'll use it. If it breaks down to $1 or less per use, I give myself the green light to buy it.

How to double your money in 3 years?

To answer the question of how to double my money quickly, simply invest in a portfolio of investment options like ULIPs, mutual funds, stocks, real estate, corporate bonds, Gold ETFs, National Savings Certificate, and tax-free bonds, to name a few.