EE Series bonds grow in value on a set schedule, and you can find the exact worth of yours by checking the serial number on the Treasury Department's website

The value of an EE Series bond depends on when you bought it and how long you have held it. The Treasury Department publishes the current redemption value of every EE bond ever issued. You do not have to calculate anything yourself — you look up your bond's serial number and issue date on the Treasury Hunt tool (treasuryhunt.gov), and it tells you what your bond is worth today.

EE bonds purchased after May 2003 earn interest at a rate set by the Treasury every six months. The rate changes on May 1 and November 1 each year. Your bond's value grows on those dates, not continuously. If you bought your bond on a date between rate-change dates, the next value increase happens on the next official rate-change date.

EE bonds have a final maturity date of 30 years. At that point, if your bond has not reached its face value (the amount printed on the bond), the Treasury adds a one-time adjustment to bring it to face value. A $50 EE bond, for example, will be worth at least $50 after 30 years, even if interest rates were very low when you bought it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can find your EE bond's current value by entering its serial number and issue date into the Treasury Hunt tool at treasuryhunt.gov.
  • EE bonds purchased after May 2003 earn interest at a variable rate that changes twice a year, on May 1 and November 1.
  • Your bond's value increases only on the official rate-change dates, not every day or month.
  • After 30 years, the Treasury guarantees your EE bond will be worth at least its face value, even if interest rates were low during your holding period.

How to look up your bond's current value

Go to treasuryhunt.gov and enter the serial number printed on your bond and the month and year you purchased it. The tool will show you the current redemption value — the amount of money you would receive if you cashed it in today. You do not need to create an account or provide any personal information beyond what is on the bond itself.

If you have lost the physical bond or cannot read the serial number clearly, you can contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service at 844-284-2676 or visit savingsbonds.gov. They can help you locate your bond record if you remember the approximate purchase date and the amount you paid for it.

Why EE bond values increase on a schedule, not continuously

EE bonds are not like stock prices or money market accounts that change value every trading day. Instead, the Treasury sets a new interest rate twice a year and applies it to all EE bonds on that date. Your bond's value jumps on May 1 and November 1 each year, and stays the same until the next rate-change date arrives.

The rate itself depends on the 6-month Treasury security yield at the time the rate is set. When Treasury yields are high, the new EE bond rate is higher. When yields are low, the new rate is lower. This means bonds you bought years ago may earn a different rate than bonds you buy today, and that rate will change again in six months.

The difference between purchase price and face value

You always buy an EE bond at half its face value. A bond with a $100 face value costs $50 to buy. The bond's value starts at $50 and grows from there as interest accrues. The face value is the amount printed on the bond itself — it is the target the bond is designed to reach, not the price you pay.

For bonds purchased after May 2003, reaching face value usually takes between 17 and 20 years, depending on the interest rates in effect during that period. Bonds purchased when rates were higher reach face value faster. Bonds purchased when rates were lower take longer. The 30-year final maturity may provide means that even if your bond has not reached face value by year 30, the Treasury will bring it there.

What happens to your bond after it reaches face value

Your bond does not stop growing when it reaches face value. It continues to earn interest at the current rate every six months until it reaches its final maturity at 30 years. A bond that reaches $100 face value in year 18 will be worth more than $100 by year 30.

You can cash in your bond at any time after you have held it for one year. If you cash it in before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. After five years, you can cash it in without any penalty and receive the full current value.

Checking your bonds if you own multiple ones

If you own several EE bonds, you will need to look up each one separately using its own serial number and issue date. Treasury Hunt will show you the value of each bond individually. Write down the serial numbers and issue dates before you start, or have the bonds in front of you as you enter the information.

Some people inherit EE bonds or receive them as gifts and do not know when they were purchased. If you have the bond but not the purchase date, the serial number itself can help — the first two digits of many serial numbers indicate the year of issue, though this varies by bond series. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service can help you determine the issue date if you call them with the serial number.

Why the Treasury Hunt tool is the only reliable source

Do not use calculators or third-party websites that claim to estimate your bond's value. These tools cannot account for the exact rate that was in effect when you bought your bond, the specific dates rates changed, and the adjustments the Treasury makes. The only accurate value is the one Treasury Hunt provides, because it pulls from the official Treasury records.

If you see a bond value listed on a bank statement or in old paperwork, that value is historical — it shows what the bond was worth on that date, not what it is worth today. Always check Treasury Hunt for the current value before you make any decisions about cashing in or holding the bond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash in my EE bond before it reaches face value?

Yes. You can cash in an EE bond anytime after holding it for one year. If you cash it in before five years have passed, you lose the last three months of interest. After five years, there is no penalty. You will receive whatever the current value is on the date you cash it in, even if that is less than the face value.

What if I bought my EE bond before May 2003?

Older EE bonds earn interest under a different formula than newer ones. Treasury Hunt will still show you the current value — just enter the serial number and purchase date. The tool handles all bond vintages automatically.

Do I owe taxes on the interest my EE bond earns?

Yes, but you can choose when to report it. You can report the interest each year as it accrues, or wait until you cash in the bond to report all the interest at once. Some people use EE bonds for education savings and report the interest on their tax return in the year they cash it in for may have access to education expenses, which may reduce the tax owed.

What if my bond is worth less than I paid for it?

This can happen if you bought the bond recently and interest rates have dropped since then. Your bond will still reach at least its face value by year 30. If you need the money before then, you will receive the current value, which may be less than your purchase price. After five years, you can cash it in without penalty.

Can someone else look up my bond's value?

Treasury Hunt requires the serial number and issue date, both of which are printed on the physical bond. Anyone with access to the bond can look up its value. If you want to keep your bonds private, store them in a safe place and do not share the serial numbers.