How to find the current value of your US bonds

The U.S. Department of the Treasury runs a free tool called TreasuryDirect where you can see the exact value of every bond you own. Log in with your Social Security number and password, and the system shows you each bond's current worth, the interest it has earned, and when it matures. This is the most direct answer: go to treasurydirect.gov, sign in to your account, and look at your portfolio.

If your bonds are held somewhere other than TreasuryDirect — at a bank, brokerage, or through an old paper certificate — you will need to contact that institution. Banks and brokerages can tell you the value in minutes. For paper bonds issued before 2003, the Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov can estimate value if you know the series, denomination, and issue date, though an official valuation requires contacting the Treasury directly.

The value you see is not the same as what you paid. Bonds earn interest over time, so older bonds are worth more than newer ones. The interest rate locked in when you bought the bond, the bond's age, and current Treasury rates all affect what your bond is worth today.

Key Takeaways

  • TreasuryDirect shows the current value of every bond you own if you log in with your Social Security number and password.
  • Bonds held at banks or brokerages require you to contact that institution directly for an up-to-date valuation.
  • The value of a bond changes as it earns interest, so a bond bought five years ago is worth more than the price you paid for it.
  • Paper bonds issued before 2003 can be valued using the Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator, though official values require Treasury contact.

Why your bond's value changes over time

A bond's value grows because of accrued interest — the money the Treasury pays you for lending them money. When you buy a Series EE bond for $50, that $50 is the purchase price, not the value. Every month, the bond earns interest. After one year, it might be worth $51. After five years, it could be worth $55. The longer you hold it, the more interest accumulates.

The interest rate on your bond was set when you bought it and does not change. A Series EE bond bought in 2015 earns the same rate today as it did in 2015. A Series I bond bought in 2024 earns a different rate because inflation was different. The Treasury changes rates every six months based on inflation and market conditions, but your personal bond's rate stays locked in.

If you cash in a bond before it reaches final maturity (usually 30 years), you receive the current value — the original price plus all accrued interest. You do not lose the interest you have already earned, but you may lose future interest if you cash it in early.

What happens if you cash in a bond early

You can cash in a U.S. savings bond at any time after you have owned it for one year. If you cash it in before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. After five years, there is no penalty — you get the full current value.

For example, if a bond is worth $1,050 and you cash it in at year four, you forfeit three months of interest and receive less than $1,050. If you wait until year five or later, you receive the full $1,050 plus any interest earned since the last calculation date.

The penalty applies only to savings bonds (Series EE and Series I). Treasury bills, notes, and bonds sold on the secondary market have different rules and can be sold at any time, though their value fluctuates based on interest rate changes.

How to read your TreasuryDirect statement

When you log into TreasuryDirect, your bonds appear in a table with several columns. The Current Value column shows what your bond is worth today — this is the number you need. The Final Maturity Date column tells you when the Treasury stops paying interest. The Series column identifies the bond type (EE, I, or another series).

You will also see the Issue Date (when you bought it) and the Denomination (what you paid for it). Some statements show Next Accrual Date, which is the next date interest will be added to your account — usually the first of the month. If you see a bond listed as "Pending," it means the purchase has not yet settled in your account.

If your statement is confusing, TreasuryDirect has a help section that explains each column. You can also call the Treasury's customer service line at 844-284-2676 to ask about a specific bond.

Bonds held at banks or brokerages

If you bought bonds through a bank or brokerage instead of TreasuryDirect, that institution holds the bonds in your account. Log into your account online or call the institution and ask for a current valuation. Most banks and brokerages update bond values daily, so the number you see is current as of that day.

Some institutions charge a small fee to sell a bond before maturity, though holding it to maturity is usually free. Ask whether there are any fees before you cash in. The institution will also handle the tax reporting — they send you a Form 1099-INT showing the interest you earned during the year.

If you have lost track of where your bonds are held, the Treasury's Treasury Hunt tool can search for unclaimed savings bonds in your name. You can access it at treasurydirect.gov under the "Find Savings Bonds" section.

Paper bonds and older certificates

Paper savings bonds issued before 2003 are no longer sold, but millions are still held by their owners. If you have a paper bond, you can estimate its value using the Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov. Enter the series (printed on the bond), the denomination (the face value), and the issue date, and the calculator shows what it is worth.

The calculator is an estimate based on Treasury rates. For an official valuation, you can mail the bond to the Treasury or take it to a bank that handles savings bonds. Some banks will value it for free; others charge a small fee. The official value is what you would receive if you cashed it in.

Paper bonds can be converted to electronic form in TreasuryDirect if you want to track them online. This process takes a few weeks and requires you to mail the physical bond to the Treasury. Once converted, you can see the value anytime by logging into your TreasuryDirect account.

Understanding the difference between purchase price and current value

Many people confuse what they paid for a bond with what it is worth. If you bought a Series EE bond for $50 ten years ago, that $50 was your purchase price. The current value is higher — perhaps $65 or $70 — because of the interest that has accumulated. The difference between the two is your earnings.

When you file taxes, you report the interest you earned, not the current value. The interest is the gain above what you paid. If your bond is worth $65 and you paid $50, you earned $15 in interest. That $15 is what you owe taxes on (unless the bond is in a tax-advantaged account or used for education).

The current value is what matters when you decide whether to cash in the bond. If you need money and the bond is worth $65, you receive $65 (minus any early-withdrawal penalty if you have owned it less than five years).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my bond value without logging into TreasuryDirect?

No, TreasuryDirect requires a login to see your bonds. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it on the login page. If you do not have a TreasuryDirect account and your bonds are held there, you will need to create one using your Social Security number and email address.

Why does my bond value show differently on different dates?

Bond values update on the first of each month when interest is added. If you check on the 15th and then again on the 1st of the next month, the value will be slightly higher because interest has accrued. Between accrual dates, the value stays the same.

What if I lost my paper bond certificate?

Contact the Treasury directly at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov to report it lost. You will need to provide the series, denomination, and issue date if you have them. The Treasury can search their records and may be able to help you recover or replace it.

Does the value of my bond go down if interest rates rise?

No. The interest rate on your bond is locked in and does not change. Rising interest rates do not affect the value of a savings bond you already own. However, if you sell a Treasury note or bond on the secondary market before maturity, rising rates do lower its resale value.

How often should I check my bond values?

You only need to check when you are considering cashing in a bond or for tax planning purposes. Since values update monthly, checking more often will not give you new information. Many people check once a year to track their savings progress.