Excel 2013+
Financial
The Excel PDURATION function returns the number of periods required for an investment to reach a target value at a fixed rate.
Quick answer:
=PDURATION(6%, 10000, 20000) // about 11.9 periods
Syntax
=PDURATION(rate, pv, fv)
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
rate | Required | Interest rate per period. |
pv | Required | Present value. |
fv | Required | Desired future value. |
How to use it
PDURATION returns the number of periods required for an investment to reach a target value at a fixed rate.
=PDURATION(6%, 10000, 20000) // periods to double at 6%
Try it: interactive demo
Live demo
This is the formula pattern PDURATION uses — copy it into Excel with your own numbers.
Result: computed in Excel
Practice workbook
Download the free PDURATION practice workbook
Every example on this page, ready to open in Excel — plus practice challenges with answers on a separate tab. No sign-up required.
Frequently asked questions
What is a classic PDURATION use?
The “how long to double my money” question — PDURATION(rate, 1, 2) at your rate.
PDURATION vs NPER?
PDURATION is for a lump sum with no payments; NPER handles payment streams.
Which Excel versions support it?
Excel 2007 and later.
Why might it return #NUM! or #VALUE!?
Out-of-range arguments (e.g. negative rate or settlement after maturity) give #NUM!; non-numeric inputs give #VALUE!.
Master functions like this in one day
This page covers one function. Our Excel Formulas and Functions class covers the 30 that matter most — live, hands-on, taught by professionals in Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Oklahoma City, Denver, or online.
See the Formulas & Functions Class