Cost of Capital Calculator
Estimate the weighted average cost of capital from your capital structure and funding costs. This page also keeps the formula, examples, FAQs, and references close by so you can check the result with confidence.
What This Cost of Capital Calculator Helps You Do
With 60% equity at 12%, 40% debt at 7.5%, and a 21% tax rate, WACC is about 9.57%. Review the formula and examples below if you want to see how the result is derived.
This page is meant to give you a fast answer, but it also helps you double-check the math before you make a decision. Start with the inputs that you already know, run the calculation, and then compare the output with the formula, examples, and FAQs below so you can see whether the answer fits the situation you are modeling.
If the result looks off, the usual causes are a unit mismatch, a missing decimal, the wrong scenario, or a value that needs to be entered as a rate instead of a total. The notes on this page are designed to make those checks easy without forcing you to leave the calculator and search for context elsewhere.
- Use the calculator first for a quick estimate.
- Use the formula to understand how the result is built.
- Use the examples to compare common use cases.
- Use the references when the answer depends on a standard or assumption.
Common Checks
A quick result is useful, but the best result is one that still makes sense when you look at it a second time. If you are comparing scenarios, try changing one input at a time so you can see which variable has the biggest impact on the final answer. That makes it much easier to spot whether the calculation matches your expectations.
It also helps to keep the context of the problem in mind. A calculator can tell you the math, but you still need to decide whether the input represents a total, a rate, an average, or a category-specific assumption. When in doubt, start with a simple example from the page and scale up from there.
- Check that every unit matches the rest of the problem.
- Keep rates, totals, and averages separate.
- Adjust one variable at a time when testing scenarios.
- Use the smallest realistic input first, then scale upward.
Scenario Planning
This calculator is especially useful when you want a quick answer before you commit time, money, or effort. Try one baseline input set, then change a single number and compare the result so you can see how sensitive the answer is to that variable.
That makes the page useful for more than just arithmetic. It becomes a small decision aid that helps you compare options, test assumptions, and explain the final number with confidence when you need to share it with someone else.
Result
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How to Calculate Cost of Capital Calculator
- Enter your capital structure: Add the market value of equity and debt.
- Enter funding costs: Use the cost of equity, pre-tax debt cost, and tax rate.
- Read the WACC: The result shows the blended after-tax cost of capital.
Cost of Capital Calculator Formula
| Variable | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| E | Market value of equity | $ |
| D | Market value of debt | $ |
| Re | Cost of equity | % |
| Rd | Cost of debt | % |
| T | Tax rate | % |
Worked Examples
- Equity market value: $600,000
- Debt market value: $400,000
- Cost of equity: 12%
- Cost of debt: 7.5%
- Tax rate: 21%
Result: 9.57%
A higher equity cost keeps the blended rate above debt cost.
- Equity market value: $1,200,000
- Debt market value: $300,000
- Cost of equity: 10.5%
- Cost of debt: 6.5%
- Tax rate: 25%
Result: 9.38%
Lower debt weight keeps the WACC closer to the equity cost.
- Equity market value: $750,000
- Debt market value: $250,000
- Cost of equity: 14%
- Cost of debt: 8.2%
- Tax rate: 19%
Result: 12.16%
A high equity return requirement pushes the WACC upward.
How to Interpret Your Results
| Range | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Lower WACC | Capital is relatively cheap | Compare against project returns |
| Typical WACC | The blended cost is in a normal range | Use it as a discount rate |
| High WACC | The company faces expensive capital | Review risk, leverage, and funding mix |
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Last reviewed: March 2026