Dividend Yield Calculator
Calculate dividend yield, annual income from your shares, and yield on cost from price and per-payment dividends.
Everyday Uses
Income investing
Turn a share price and quarterly payout into the yearly income your holding actually generates.
Comparing dividend stocks
Different prices, payouts, and frequencies — yield puts every candidate on one comparable scale.
Yield on cost payoff
Long-term holders: see what your original purchase price earns today — often double the current yield.
Too-good-to-be-true check
The high-yield warning flags dividend traps before you chase a 12% yield off a cliff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is dividend yield calculated?
Annual dividends per share divided by the current share price, times 100. A stock at $62.50 paying $0.55 quarterly pays $2.20/year, a yield of 3.52%. Enter the per-payment amount and frequency here and the annualization is handled for you.
What is yield on cost?
Annual dividends divided by what YOU paid per share, rather than today's price. If you bought at $48 and the stock now pays $2.20/year, your yield on cost is 4.58% even though new buyers get 3.52%. It rewards long holding of dividend growers — though decisions about buying more should use current yield.
Is a higher dividend yield always better?
No — unusually high yields (above roughly 8%) are often a warning sign. Yield rises mechanically when a share price falls, so a "10% yielder" may be a company in trouble whose dividend is about to be cut. Check the payout ratio and dividend history; sustainable and growing usually beats high and fragile.
How often are dividends paid?
US companies typically pay quarterly; many European companies pay annually or semi-annually; some REITs and income funds pay monthly. You must own shares before the ex-dividend date to receive a given payment. This calculator converts any payment frequency into annual and monthly income figures.