About the Dividend Yield Calculator
Dividend yield shows how much a company pays out in dividends each year compared with its share price, expressed as a percentage. A share priced at 48 that pays 0.60 every quarter yields 5 percent. This calculator turns a single payment and its frequency into the yearly dividend, then the yield at today's price. If you add the price you paid, it gives your yield on cost, and if you add the number of shares you own, it shows the income you can expect each year and each month.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Dividend Yield Calculator
- 1Choose your currency symbol.
- 2Enter the dividend per share for one payment.
- 3Pick how often it is paid: yearly, twice a year, quarterly or monthly.
- 4Enter the current share price.
- 5Optional: add your purchase price and shares owned for yield on cost and income.
Reading yield with care
Yield changes every day because the share price does. A company that pays the same dividend but whose price drops 20 percent has a yield 25 percent higher, which can look attractive while hiding a worry. Always check why the price has moved.
Dividend yield is only one slice of the return from owning a share. Total return also includes the change in the share price, so a 3 percent yield on a share that rises 8 percent in a year is a better result than a 6 percent yield on one that falls 10 percent. Many investors look at both the dividend and how fast the company grows its payout over time, since a growing dividend can lift your yield on cost year after year.
Planning income
- Divide your target yearly income by the yield to see the amount you need invested.
- Spread across several companies and sectors to lower the risk of a dividend cut.
- Reinvesting dividends can speed up growth through compounding.
- Compare the yield with savings rates and inflation.
Related calculators
Use the ROI Calculator for total return, the Stock Average Calculator for cost across purchases and the Compound Interest Calculator to see reinvested dividends grow. The Rule of 72 Calculator estimates how long it takes for an income stream to double.
Features
- Dividend yield at today's price
- Yield on your own cost
- Yearly and monthly income
- Years of dividends to earn back the price
- Quarterly, monthly and other frequencies
- Warns about impossible prices
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate dividend yield?
Multiply the dividend per payment by the number of payments each year, then divide by the share price and multiply by 100. A 0.60 quarterly dividend on a 48 share is 2.40 ÷ 48 = 5 percent.
What is yield on cost?
It compares today's dividend with the price you originally paid rather than today's price. If you paid 30 for a share that now pays 2.40 a year, your yield on cost is 8 percent, even if the current yield is lower.
Is a higher dividend yield better?
Not always. A very high yield can mean the share price has fallen because investors expect a dividend cut. Look at how steady the payments are, the company's profits and whether it can afford the payout.
How often are dividends paid?
It varies by country. US companies mostly pay quarterly, UK and European companies often pay twice a year, and some funds and trusts pay monthly. The calculator lets you choose the frequency.
Does this include tax on dividends?
No. Dividends are taxed in most countries, sometimes at a withholding rate before you receive them. Reduce the dividend by your tax rate to see your after-tax yield.
What is the dividend payout ratio?
It is the share of profits paid out as dividends. A ratio above 80 or 90 percent leaves little room for growth or a downturn, though some sectors such as utilities pay out more than others.