How to find your savings bond's current value
The U.S. Department of the Treasury runs a free tool called the Savings Bond Calculator that tells you exactly what your bond is worth today. You enter the bond series (Series EE, Series I, or Series HH), the issue date printed on the bond itself, and the denomination, and it shows you the current redemption value in seconds.
You can access this calculator at treasurydirect.gov under the "Savings Bonds" section. The tool updates monthly when the Treasury announces new interest rates, so the value you see is current as of that month's rate announcement. If you check on the 15th of a month versus the 1st, you may see a small difference because rates change on the first of each month.
If you have lost the physical bond or cannot read the issue date clearly, you can still use the calculator by entering your best estimate of the date. The Treasury also maintains records if you registered the bond in your name when you bought it, though retrieving old records takes longer than using the calculator.
Key Takeaways
- The Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov shows your bond's exact current value when you enter the series, issue date, and denomination.
- Series EE bonds earn interest monthly but only show their full value when you cash them in or check the calculator—the printed face value is not what you will receive.
- Series I bonds earn interest that changes every six months based on inflation, so their value grows unpredictably compared to Series EE bonds.
- You can cash in most bonds at any bank or credit union, though some older bonds may have restrictions or require a trip to a Federal Reserve Bank.
Why the printed value on your bond is not what it is worth
Series EE bonds are sold at a discount. If you bought a $100 bond, you paid $50 for it. The bond itself prints "$100" on the front, but that is the face value, not the current value. The actual worth depends on how long you have held it and what interest rate it earned during that time.
Series I bonds work differently. You pay the full face value upfront—a $100 bond costs $100—but the printed value never changes. The interest accrues invisibly and only appears when you check the calculator or cash the bond in. This is why many people are surprised to find their I bond worth $120 or $130 when they thought it was still worth $100.
Series HH bonds, which are no longer sold but are still held by many people, were issued at face value and paid interest by check twice a year. Their current value is the face value plus any accrued interest you have not yet received.
How interest rates affect what your bond is worth
Series EE bonds earn a fixed interest rate that was set when you bought the bond. That rate never changes, but the bond's value grows each month as interest compounds. A bond purchased in 2010 earns the same percentage every month as it did in 2010, so you can predict its future value fairly accurately.
Series I bonds earn a composite rate made up of two parts: a fixed rate (set when you buy) and an inflation rate (that changes every six months). The inflation portion adjusts on May 1st and November 1st each year based on the Consumer Price Index. This means an I bond's value can jump noticeably when the Treasury announces a new inflation rate, or it can grow more slowly if inflation drops.
If you bought an I bond when inflation was high, the rate you locked in was higher. If you bought one recently when inflation was lower, your rate is lower. The calculator accounts for all of this automatically—you do not need to do the math yourself.
When you can cash in your bond and get paid
You can cash in Series EE and Series I bonds at most banks and credit unions without an appointment. Bring the physical bond and a photo ID. The teller will look up the current value using the Treasury's system, and you will receive that amount in cash or check on the spot.
Series EE bonds have a one-year holding requirement—you cannot cash them in during the first year you own them. If you cash them in before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. After five years, there is no penalty.
Series I bonds have a one-year holding requirement and a five-year penalty: if you cash them in before five years, you lose the last three months of interest. After five years, you can cash them with no penalty.
Series HH bonds stopped being issued in 2004, but if you still own them, you can cash them at a Federal Reserve Bank or through your bank. Some banks no longer handle HH bonds, so call ahead to confirm they will accept it.
What to do if your bond has reached final maturity
Series EE bonds issued before May 2003 stop earning interest 30 years after they were issued. Series EE bonds issued May 2003 and later earn interest for 30 years as well. Once a bond reaches final maturity, it stops growing in value, and you should cash it in.
Series I bonds earn interest for 30 years from the issue date. After that, they stop earning and should be cashed in.
You can find the final maturity date by adding 30 years to the issue date on the bond. If you are not sure whether your bond has matured, the Savings Bond Calculator will tell you—it shows "Final Maturity Date" in the results.
Tracking multiple bonds and keeping records
If you own several bonds, write down the series, issue date, and denomination of each one in a spreadsheet or notebook. This makes it much faster to check values in the calculator without hunting for each physical bond. Keep this list in a safe place—a safe deposit box, a fireproof safe, or a digital file with a backup.
If you registered your bonds when you bought them through TreasuryDirect (the online system for buying Treasury securities), you can log into your account to see all your bonds and their current values. This is the easiest method if you have many bonds, because the system updates automatically.
For bonds you bought in person at a bank or through a payroll savings plan, you will not have a TreasuryDirect account. The physical bond is your only record, so keeping it safe and legible is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my bond's value without the physical bond?
Yes, if you remember the issue date. The calculator only needs the series, issue date, and denomination. If you registered the bond through TreasuryDirect when you bought it, you can log into your account to see all your bonds. For older bonds bought in person, you can contact the Treasury's Savings Bond Division, though it takes several weeks.
Why does the calculator show a different value than what my bank told me?
Banks sometimes use outdated interest rates or calculate values on different dates. The Treasury's calculator is always current as of the first of the month. If there is a large difference, ask your bank which date they used and whether they have access to the current Treasury rates.
What happens if I cash in my bond before it reaches final maturity?
You receive the current value shown in the calculator, minus any early redemption penalty. For both Series EE and Series I bonds, cashing in before five years costs you the last three months of interest. After five years, there is no penalty, and you receive the full current value.
Do I have to pay taxes on the interest my bond earned?
Yes. The interest is subject to federal income tax, though you can defer reporting it until you cash the bond in or it reaches final maturity. Some I bonds used for education expenses may be tax-free under certain conditions, but that requires a separate form when you file your taxes.