InfoCrypto

Staking Rewards Calculator

Rewards are paid in the staked asset, so the return in your own currency depends on two things — the yield and the price.

Last reviewed: Written and checked by the InfoCrypto editorial team

In your local currency at today's price.

%

The network's nominal staking APR.

%

Taken by the operator you delegate to.

years
%

Be realistic. Try a negative number too.

APR, APY and commission

Net rate = APR × (1 − commission) APY = (1 + net rate ÷ n)^n − 1 n = compounding periods per year Tokens = amount × (1 + net rate ÷ n)^(n × years)

APR is the simple annual rate. APY includes compounding, which happens automatically on networks where rewards are added to the staked balance. At low rates the difference is small — 4.5 % APR compounded daily is 4.6 % APY — so beware advertising that emphasises APY to make a modest rate look better.

Validator commission is deducted before anything reaches you, and 5–15 % is typical. Over several years the difference between a 5 % and a 15 % operator is material, though not as material as choosing an operator who gets slashed.

The price is the dominant variable

Try entering a price change of −50 % in the calculator above. The staking rewards barely register against it.

This is the point most staking marketing avoids. Rewards are denominated in the staked token, so your outcome in your own currency is dominated by what the token price does. A 5 % yield on an asset that falls 60 % is a 58 % loss. Staking improves your position relative to holding the same asset unstaked; it does nothing about whether holding it was a good idea.

The corollary is that the yield should not be the reason for the position. Decide whether you want exposure to the asset first. If you do, staking it is usually better than not, subject to lock-up and the risks below.

What the projection ignores

  • Tax. In most jurisdictions rewards are income when received, at their value at that moment. That liability is real even if the price later falls and even if the tokens are locked. See our tax guide.
  • Inflation of the token supply. Rewards come partly from new issuance. If the network issues 4 % new supply and you earn 4 %, you have held your proportional share rather than gained in real terms.
  • Rate changes. Staking rates are not fixed. They typically fall as more of the supply is staked, so a rate today is not a rate for three years.
  • Slashing and downtime penalties.
  • Lock-up and exit queues, which can extend to weeks when many validators exit at once.
  • Counterparty risk where an exchange or provider holds the keys.

Our staking guide covers these in detail.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the advertised APY higher than what I earn?

Usually commission, which is deducted before rewards reach you, plus the fact that network rates vary with how much of the supply is staked. Some platforms also advertise a rate that assumes continuous compounding you do not actually get.

Does compounding happen automatically?

It depends on the network. Some add rewards to the staked balance automatically; others require you to claim and restake manually, which costs a transaction fee each time. On expensive networks, frequent manual compounding can cost more than it earns.

Is a higher APR always better?

No. Very high advertised rates usually mean high token inflation, which dilutes everyone and tends to be reflected in a falling price. Compare the rate against the network's issuance rate to see whether you are actually gaining ground.