The fastest way: the Treasury's online calculator

The U.S. Department of the Treasury runs a free tool called the Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov. You enter the bond series (Series EE, Series I, or Series HH), the issue date, and the denomination, and it tells you the exact current value in seconds.

You do not need to own the bond or have any account to use it. The calculator works for any bond issued after 1974. If you have the bond in your hand, the series and issue date are printed on the front. The denomination is also there — it will say $50, $100, $500, or another amount.

This is the method the Treasury itself recommends, and it is accurate as of the day you check it. Bond values change monthly, so the number you see today will be different next month.

Key Takeaways

  • The Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov gives you the exact current value in seconds if you know the series, issue date, and denomination.
  • If you have a TreasuryDirect account, you can log in and see the value of any bonds you own listed in your account dashboard.
  • Paper bonds issued before 2012 can be valued using the same calculator, and the value does not change based on where you store the bond.
  • Bond values update monthly on the first business day, so checking on different dates may show slightly different amounts.
  • If you have lost the bond or cannot read the issue date, you can contact the Treasury's Savings Bond Division by mail or phone to request a search.

Checking your TreasuryDirect account

If you own bonds through a TreasuryDirect account, log in at treasurydirect.gov with your username and password. Your account dashboard shows every bond you hold, along with its current value, issue date, and maturity date. The value updates once a month, on the first business day.

This method works only for bonds you purchased electronically through TreasuryDirect. Paper bonds do not appear in a TreasuryDirect account unless you have scanned them into the system, which is optional.

What to do if you have a paper bond but lost the issue date

If you have a physical bond but cannot read the issue date clearly, or if the bond is damaged, you can contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service — the division of the Treasury that handles savings bonds. Send a letter to the address listed on the Treasury website, or call their customer service line. Include the bond series, denomination, and any other information you can read from the bond itself.

The Bureau will search their records and provide you with the issue date and current value. This process takes several weeks by mail. You do not need to send the bond itself — a description is enough to start the search.

Understanding what the value means

The value the calculator shows you is what the bond is worth if you cash it in today. This is not the same as the face value printed on the bond. A $100 Series EE bond, for example, might be worth $115 after five years, or $180 after twenty years, depending on interest rates and how long you have held it.

The value also depends on the bond's age. A brand-new bond is worth exactly half its face value. As time passes and interest accrues, the value climbs. Once a bond reaches final maturity — which is 30 years for Series EE and Series I bonds — it stops earning interest, and the value stays the same.

Why bond values change month to month

Series I bonds earn interest based on inflation rates, which the Treasury announces every six months. When inflation numbers change, the interest rate on I bonds changes, and the value of existing I bonds adjusts upward. Series EE bonds earn a fixed rate set when you bought them, so their value climbs at a steady pace each month.

The calculator reflects these monthly updates automatically. If you check the value of the same bond on the first of the month and the fifteenth, you may see a small difference because the Treasury updates values on the first business day of each month.

Bonds held by someone else in your name

If a parent, grandparent, or other person bought a bond and registered it in your name, you can still look up its value using the calculator. You need the series, issue date, and denomination — all of which are printed on the bond itself. The person who bought it does not need to give you permission to check the value.

If you own the bond but do not have it physically, ask whoever is holding it to read you the series and issue date. Once you have those details, you can calculate the value yourself at any time.

What happens if you cannot find the bond at all

If you believe you own a savings bond but cannot locate it, the Treasury maintains a database of unclaimed bonds. You can search for lost or forgotten bonds through the Treasury Hunt tool, also at treasurydirect.gov. This tool searches for bonds registered in your name that may have been lost, misplaced, or forgotten.

If the search finds a bond in your name, you can request information about it, including its current value. The process is free and does not require you to prove ownership beyond providing personal information that matches the bond's registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find the value of a bond someone gave me if I do not know when it was issued?

The issue date is printed on the bond itself, usually near the top or bottom. If you cannot read it because the bond is old or damaged, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service with the series and denomination, and they will look up the issue date for you. Once you have the date, use the Treasury calculator.

Does the value change if I move the bond to a different location?

No. A savings bond's value depends only on its series, issue date, and how long you have held it. Where you store it — in a safe deposit box, at home, or in a TreasuryDirect account — does not affect the value at all.

If I check the value today and cash it in next month, will I get the same amount?

Probably not. Bond values update on the first business day of each month. If you check on the 15th and cash in on the 1st of next month, the value will have updated and may be higher (or in rare cases, slightly lower for Series I bonds if inflation rates drop). Always check the current value right before you cash in.

What if the calculator shows a value lower than what I paid for the bond?

This can happen only if you are checking a bond within the first year of purchase. Series EE bonds start at half face value and climb from there. If you bought a $100 bond three months ago, it might be worth $52 or $53 right now. This is normal — you have not lost money, the bond is simply still in its early earning period.

Can I use the calculator for bonds issued before 1974?

The Treasury calculator works for bonds issued in 1974 and later. For older bonds, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service directly. Very old bonds may have stopped earning interest or reached final maturity, so their value will not change, but the Bureau can confirm the exact amount.