Finance
Depreciation Calculator
Track asset depreciation with side-by-side straight-line and double-declining calculations to plan financial statements or tax deductions.
Compare straight-line and declining-balance depreciation over an asset’s life.
| Year | Straight expense | Straight book value | Declining expense | Declining book value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3,200.00 | $14,800.00 | $7,200.00 | $10,800.00 |
| 2 | $3,200.00 | $11,600.00 | $4,320.00 | $6,480.00 |
| 3 | $3,200.00 | $8,400.00 | $2,592.00 | $3,888.00 |
| 4 | $3,200.00 | $5,200.00 | $1,555.20 | $2,332.80 |
| 5 | $3,200.00 | $2,000.00 | $332.80 | $2,000.00 |
Depreciation methods
Straight-line expense = (Cost − Salvage) ÷ Useful life. Double-declining rate = 2 ÷ Useful life applied to the beginning book value each year.
How to use
- Enter the asset cost, expected salvage value, and useful life in years.
- Adjust the declining-balance multiplier if you want a rate other than double.
- Review the per-year depreciation tables and cumulative book value.
Example
Input: Cost = $18,000, Salvage = $2,000, Life = 5 years
Output: Straight-line expense = $3,200/year, First-year double-declining ≈ $7,200
Student-friendly breakdown
This walkthrough emphasizes the most searched ideas for Depreciation Calculator: depreciation calculator, straight line depreciation calculator, double declining depreciation, depreciation schedule calculator. Start with the formula above, then follow the guided steps to double-check your work. For quick revision, highlight the givens, plug into the equation, and finish by verifying your units.
Need more support? Use the links below to open the long-form guide, browse additional examples, or hop into adjacent calculators within the same topic — each one is a quick way to double-check your work or handle a related question without starting from scratch.
Deep dive & study plan
Depreciation Calculator: Compares straight-line and declining-balance depreciation schedules. It's built around depreciation, straight-line, double declining, so you can go from a raw question to a checked answer without switching tools.
The math behind it: Straight-line expense = (Cost − Salvage) ÷ Useful life. Double-declining rate = 2 ÷ Useful life applied to the beginning book value each year.
To use it well: (1) Enter the asset cost, expected salvage value, and useful life in years. (2) Adjust the declining-balance multiplier if you want a rate other than double. (3) Review the per-year depreciation tables and cumulative book value. Keep your units consistent as you go, and re-run a case you already know the answer to — it's the fastest way to catch a typo before it throws off a result you're relying on.
Worked example: entering Cost = $18,000, Salvage = $2,000, Life = 5 years returns Straight-line expense = $3,200/year, First-year double-declining ≈ $7,200. Try swapping in your own numbers next, especially a case you're unsure about, before you use this for something that matters.
Quick retention checklist
- Speak the formula aloud (or annotate it) so the relationships stick.
- Write each step in your own words and compare with the numbered list above.
- Swap in new numbers for the Example to make sure the calculator (and your logic) handles edge cases.
- Check at least one related calculator below — it's the fastest way to confirm your numbers still line up from a different angle.
FAQ & notes
Can I switch to 150% declining balance?
Yes. Change the declining multiplier from 2.0 to 1.5 to mirror the 150% method.
Does the schedule stop at salvage value?
The calculator caps book value at the salvage amount automatically so depreciation never overshoots.
What formula does the Depreciation Calculator use?
Straight-line expense = (Cost − Salvage) ÷ Useful life. Double-declining rate = 2 ÷ Useful life applied to the beginning book value each year.
How do I use the Depreciation Calculator?
Enter the asset cost, expected salvage value, and useful life in years. Adjust the declining-balance multiplier if you want a rate other than double. Review the per-year depreciation tables and cumulative book value.