The fastest way to check your EE bond value
The U.S. Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov is the only place that will give you an accurate current value. You enter the bond's series (EE), the issue date printed on the bond itself, and the denomination (the face value), and the calculator shows you exactly what it's worth today.
You do not need to log into an account or provide personal information. The calculator works for any EE bond issued after May 2003, which is when the Treasury switched to the current interest-rate formula. If your bond is older than that, the calculation method is different, and you'll need to use the Treasury's separate tool for bonds issued before May 2003.
The value changes every month on the first day, so if you check on the 15th of the month, you're seeing the value that took effect on the 1st. The next increase happens automatically on the first of the following month.
Key Takeaways
- The Treasury Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov is free and requires only the series, issue date, and denomination printed on your physical bond.
- EE bond values increase every month on the first day based on current Treasury interest rates, so the value you see today will be different next month.
- Bonds issued before May 2003 use a different calculation method and require the Treasury's separate historical calculator.
- You can cash in an EE bond at most banks or through TreasuryDirect, but the Treasury charges a penalty if you cash it in before five years have passed.
What information you need from the physical bond
Look at the front of your EE bond. You need three pieces of information: the series (it will say "EE"), the issue date (usually printed as a month and year), and the denomination or face value (typically $50, $100, $500, or $1,000).
The issue date is the month and year the bond was purchased, not the date it matures. For example, if the bond says "May 2015," that's the issue date you enter into the calculator. The denomination is the amount you or someone else paid for the bond when it was first bought.
If the bond is damaged or the printing is faded, you may not be able to read all the details clearly. In that case, contact TreasuryDirect at 844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov to report the issue. They can sometimes help you locate the information or replace the bond.
Why EE bond values change every month
EE bonds issued after May 2003 earn interest based on the 10-year Treasury note rate, which the Treasury announces every May and November. The rate you earn is half of whatever that rate is at the time your bond was issued. That rate stays locked in for the first 20 years you own the bond.
Even though your interest rate is fixed, the bond's value still changes every month because the Treasury adds that month's interest to the bond. If you bought an EE bond when the 10-year Treasury note was at 2%, your bond earns 1% per year. Every month, one-twelfth of that 1% gets added to the bond's value.
After 20 years, the Treasury adds a one-time earnings adjustment to make sure your bond is worth at least double what you paid for it. This is a may provide built into EE bonds — they will reach face value (double the purchase price) within 20 years, no matter what interest rates do.
How to read the value the calculator gives you
When you enter your bond's information into the calculator, it shows you the current value in dollars and cents. That is the amount you would receive if you cashed in the bond today. It includes all the interest earned since the bond was issued, compounded monthly.
The calculator also shows you the issue price (what was paid for it originally) and the interest earned so far. If you bought a $100 EE bond in 2015 and the calculator shows a current value of $127.43, that means you've earned $27.43 in interest over the time you've owned it.
Keep in mind that if you cash in the bond before it has been held for five years, the Treasury will reduce the value by the last three months of interest as a penalty. So if the calculator shows $127.43 but you're cashing it in before the five-year mark, you'd actually receive roughly $127.43 minus three months of interest.
Where to cash in your EE bond once you know its value
You have two main options: take the physical bond to a bank or credit union, or cash it in through TreasuryDirect online if you have a TreasuryDirect account.
Most banks and credit unions will cash EE bonds for you at no charge, though some may ask you to have an account with them. Call ahead to confirm they accept savings bonds and ask whether you need an appointment. Bring the physical bond and a photo ID. The bank verifies the bond's authenticity and pays you the current value on the spot.
If you have a TreasuryDirect account and the bond is registered in your name, you can also deposit it into your account electronically and then request a transfer to your bank account. This process takes a few business days but means you don't have to visit a bank in person.
What happens if you cash in before five years
The Treasury charges a penalty if you cash in an EE bond before you've owned it for five years. The penalty is the last three months of interest earned on the bond.
For example, if your bond's current value is $127.43 and you've earned roughly $0.50 per month in interest, cashing it in before five years would cost you about $1.50 in lost interest. You'd receive approximately $125.93 instead of the full $127.43.
After five years, there is no penalty. You can cash in the bond for its full current value at any time. Many people hold EE bonds much longer than five years because they continue earning interest for up to 30 years from the issue date.
Bonds issued before May 2003: a different calculation
If your EE bond was issued before May 2003, it uses a different interest formula based on the average of Treasury 5-year note rates. The Treasury provides a separate calculator for these older bonds on treasurydirect.gov under "Savings Bond Calculator — Series EE Bonds Issued Before May 2003."
You'll enter the same information (series, issue date, and denomination), but the calculator will use the historical interest rates that applied when your bond was issued. The process is the same; only the underlying calculation changes.
If you're unsure which calculator to use, start with the current one. If your bond was issued before May 2003, the calculator will tell you to use the historical version instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my EE bond value without the physical bond?
No. The calculator requires the issue date and denomination printed on the bond itself. If you've lost the bond, contact TreasuryDirect at 844-284-2676. They can search their records if you have the original purchase receipt or if the bond is registered in your name in their system.
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's a significant difference, ask your bank which date they used for their calculation, or check the calculator again to confirm the current value.
What if my EE bond is worth less than I paid for it?
This can happen if the bond is less than 20 years old and interest rates have been very low. However, EE bonds are may provide to reach face value (double the purchase price) within 20 years. If your bond hasn't reached that point yet, hold it longer and the value will increase.
Can I check the value of someone else's EE bond?
Yes, if you have the physical bond. The calculator doesn't require you to prove ownership. However, you cannot cash in someone else's bond unless your name is also on it as a co-owner or you have legal authority (such as being the executor of an estate).
How often should I check my bond's value?
You can check whenever you want, but the value only changes on the first of each month. Checking more than once a month will show you the same value. Many people check once or twice a year to track how their bonds are growing.