Net Worth Calculator
Add up what you own and subtract what you owe to see your net worth — broken down by asset and liability category.
How net worth is calculated
Net worth is a balance-sheet snapshot: everything of value you own (assets), minus everything you owe (liabilities), at one point in time. It says nothing about your income or monthly cash flow — someone with a high salary but heavy debt and no savings can have a lower net worth than someone with a modest salary who has saved consistently.
Assets: $15,000 cash + $60,000 investments + $350,000 home + $18,000 vehicle + $5,000 other = $448,000.
Liabilities: $240,000 mortgage + $12,000 auto loan + $20,000 student loan + $3,000 credit card = $275,000.
Net worth: $448,000 − $275,000 = $173,000.
Assets: $2,000 cash + $1,000 investments + $8,000 vehicle + $500 other = $11,500.
Liabilities: $35,000 student loans + $6,000 auto loan + $2,500 credit card = $43,500.
Net worth: $11,500 − $43,500 = −$32,000. A negative number this early — before home equity or meaningful retirement savings have had time to build — is common and not itself a warning sign; what matters is whether it's trending upward as income grows and the student loan balance shrinks.
What counts as an asset vs. a liability
| Item | Category |
|---|---|
| Cash, checking, savings accounts | Asset |
| Investment & retirement accounts | Asset |
| Home / real estate (current market value) | Asset |
| Vehicles (current value) | Asset |
| Mortgage balance | Liability |
| Auto loan balance | Liability |
| Student loan balance | Liability |
| Credit card & personal loan balances | Liability |
Why tracking net worth over time matters more than the number itself
A single net worth snapshot is less useful than the trend. Recalculating every few months and watching whether the number moves up consistently — even slowly — is a better financial health signal than comparing yourself to a generic benchmark for your age or income, since those benchmarks vary enormously by location, family situation, and career stage.
Common mistakes when calculating net worth
- Only counting home equity, not the full home value and mortgage separately. List the full home value as an asset and the mortgage balance as a liability — the math nets them correctly either way, but tracking them separately makes it easier to see progress on paying down the mortgage specifically.
- Forgetting illiquid assets like retirement accounts. They count toward net worth even though you can't spend them freely today.
- Using inflated asset values. Use realistic current market value for a home or vehicle, not the original purchase price.
Frequently asked questions
What is net worth?
The total value of everything you own minus everything you owe — a snapshot of your financial position, not your income.
Should I include my home's full value or just my equity?
Include the full home value as an asset and the mortgage balance separately as a liability — the calculation nets them correctly.
What's a good net worth for my age?
There's no single benchmark — tracking your own net worth trend over time is more useful than comparing to a generic number.
Should I count retirement accounts I can't access yet?
Yes — they count toward net worth even though they aren't immediately spendable.
Is it normal to have negative net worth early in your career?
Yes, especially with student loans — it's not a red flag on its own. The trend over time matters more than the starting number.
How often should I recalculate my net worth?
Quarterly or twice a year is a good balance — frequent enough to see a trend, not so frequent that market noise feels discouraging.
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Note: Self-reported figures; accuracy depends on realistic current valuations for assets like homes and vehicles. Not financial advice. Last reviewed: September 2026.