How Much Does a 6-Month CD Earn?
A 6-month CD is the most popular short-term certificate of deposit. It locks your money for just half a year, making it ideal for cash you want to grow safely without committing for years. The calculator above is preset to a 6-month term — just enter your deposit and APY to see your exact return.
As a quick reference, here is what different deposits earn in a 6-month CD at a typical 2026 rate of 4.50% APY (compounded daily):
| Deposit | Interest Earned (6 months) | Maturity Value |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $22.25 | $1,022.25 |
| $5,000 | $111.26 | $5,111.26 |
| $10,000 | $222.52 | $10,222.52 |
| $25,000 | $556.30 | $25,556.30 |
| $50,000 | $1,112.60 | $51,112.60 |
Because a 6-month CD only earns interest for half a year, the dollar amount is roughly half of what the same deposit would earn in a 12-month CD at the same rate. The trade-off is flexibility: your money is freed up in 6 months, letting you reinvest at whatever rates the market offers.
6-Month CD Rates in 2026
Short-term CD rates have stayed competitive in 2026. As of mid-2026, 6-month CD rates typically range from 4.25% to 4.75% APY, with online banks and credit unions offering the highest yields. Brick-and-mortar banks often pay less, sometimes under 2%, so it pays to shop around.
One feature of the current rate environment: short-term CDs sometimes pay more than long-term CDs (an inverted yield curve). This means a 6-month CD can occasionally beat a 5-year CD, while keeping your money far more flexible. Always compare the APY across terms before deciding.
Where to Find the Best 6-Month CD Rates
- Online banks — consistently the highest rates due to low overhead
- Credit unions — competitive rates, though membership may be required
- Brokered CDs — available through brokerage accounts, often with strong rates and easy comparison
When a 6-Month CD Makes Sense
A 6-month CD is the right choice in several specific situations:
- You have a near-term goal — saving for something 6-12 months out (a vacation, a tax bill, a planned purchase) where you want guaranteed growth and zero risk.
- You expect rates to rise — locking for only 6 months lets you reinvest soon at potentially higher rates, rather than being stuck in a long-term CD.
- You are building a CD ladder — a 6-month rung gives you regular liquidity as part of a staggered ladder strategy.
- You want better than savings, with discipline — a 6-month CD typically beats a savings account and the early-withdrawal penalty discourages impulse spending.
If you might need the money sooner than 6 months, consider a no-penalty CD or a high-yield savings account instead. If you can lock up funds longer, a 12-month CD usually pays a slightly higher rate.