The fastest way to find your bond value

The U.S. Department of the Treasury runs a free tool called the Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov. You enter your bond series (Series EE, Series I, or Series HH), the issue date, and the denomination, and it shows you the current value in seconds. You do not need to log in or create an account.

If you have multiple bonds, you can look them up one at a time. The calculator updates monthly when the Treasury announces new interest rates, so the value you see is current as of that month's rate announcement. If you checked yesterday and check today, the number may have changed slightly — that is normal.

You can also call the Treasury's customer service line at 1-844-284-2676 if you prefer to speak with someone, though the online calculator is faster for most people.

Key Takeaways

  • The Treasury's Savings Bond Calculator at treasurydirect.gov is free and requires only your bond series, issue date, and denomination.
  • Paper bonds and electronic bonds held in TreasuryDirect accounts can both be looked up using the same calculator.
  • Bond values update monthly when new interest rates take effect, so checking on different days may show slightly different amounts.
  • If you own the bond but do not have the physical certificate, you can still find the value if you know when it was issued and what type it is.

What information you need to look up your bond

Before you use the calculator, gather these details: the series letter (EE, I, or HH), the issue date (month and year), and the denomination (the face value — usually $50, $100, $500, or $1,000). For paper bonds, this information is printed on the certificate itself. For electronic bonds in a TreasuryDirect account, you can find it by logging in and viewing your holdings.

If you have a paper bond but the certificate is damaged or faded, you may still be able to read enough to identify the series and issue date. The denomination is often the easiest to spot. If you genuinely cannot read any of these details, the Treasury can help you reconstruct them if you contact them with your Social Security number and the approximate year the bond was purchased.

How to use the Treasury's online calculator

Go to treasurydirect.gov and look for the Savings Bond Calculator link (it is usually in the main navigation or under "Tools"). The calculator asks you to select your bond series from a dropdown menu, then enter the issue date using the calendar picker, then enter the denomination.

Once you click "Calculate," the tool shows you the current value, the amount of interest earned so far, and the next maturity date. It also tells you whether the bond is still earning interest or has stopped. Write down or screenshot the result — you may need it for tax purposes or if you are planning to cash the bond.

The calculator works the same way whether your bond is paper or electronic. The only difference is where you find the issue date and denomination — on the certificate for paper bonds, or in your TreasuryDirect account for electronic ones.

Checking bonds in your TreasuryDirect account

If you own electronic bonds through TreasuryDirect, you can log into your account at treasurydirect.gov and see the current value of each bond without using the separate calculator. Your account dashboard displays your holdings with their current values updated as of the most recent rate announcement.

This method is faster if you own many bonds, because you see them all at once. You can also set up a TreasuryDirect account to track paper bonds you own — the Treasury can link them to your account if you provide the bond serial numbers and other identifying information. Once linked, you can monitor their values from your dashboard without having to use the calculator each time.

Understanding the value the calculator shows you

The number the calculator displays is what the bond is worth right now if you were to cash it today. This is called the current redemption value. It includes the original purchase price plus all the interest earned since the bond was issued.

For Series EE and Series I bonds, the value grows every month. For Series HH bonds (which are older and no longer sold), the value may have stopped growing if the bond has reached final maturity. The calculator tells you the maturity date, so you know when the bond stops earning interest.

Keep in mind that if you cash the bond before it reaches five years old, you will lose the last three months of interest as a penalty. The calculator shows the full current value, but if you redeem early, you would receive slightly less. Some banks and financial institutions also charge a small fee to cash a bond, though the Treasury does not.

What to do if you cannot find your bond information

If you have lost the physical certificate or cannot locate the issue date, contact the Treasury directly at 1-844-284-2676 or visit treasurydirect.gov/tdhc. Have your Social Security number and the approximate year the bond was purchased ready. The Treasury can search their records and provide you with the series, issue date, and denomination so you can then use the calculator.

If the bond was purchased as a gift or inherited, you may not have the original paperwork. In that case, the Treasury can still help if you provide the purchaser's name and Social Security number, or the bond serial number if it is visible on the certificate. The process takes a few business days, but it is the only way to look up a bond when you do not have the details.

Checking the value of older or inherited bonds

Bonds issued decades ago work the same way in the calculator as newer ones. Series EE bonds issued in the 1980s or 1990s are still earning interest (unless they have reached final maturity), and the calculator will show you their current value. The same is true for Series I bonds and older Series HH bonds.

If you inherited a bond, the calculator works exactly as it does for any other bond — you just need the series, issue date, and denomination. The value shown is what the bond is worth at that moment, regardless of who owns it or how long it has been held. If the bond has reached final maturity, the calculator will tell you that it has stopped earning interest and show you the final value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the calculator show the same value every day?

No. Bond values update once a month when the Treasury announces new interest rates. If you check on the first of the month and again on the fifteenth, you may see a slightly different value. The change is usually small, but it reflects the new interest rate that took effect that month.

Can I use the calculator for bonds I do not own yet?

Yes. If you are thinking about buying a bond and want to see what it might be worth at a future date, you can use the calculator by entering a hypothetical issue date. This helps you understand how bonds grow over time, though the actual value will depend on the interest rates in effect when you purchase.

What if the calculator shows a value lower than what I paid?

This can happen with Series I bonds if you bought them when interest rates were higher and rates have since fallen. The bond is still worth what the calculator shows, but you would lose money if you cashed it before it had time to earn back to your purchase price. Holding the bond longer allows interest to accumulate.

Do I need to report the value the calculator shows on my taxes?

Not unless you cashed the bond that year. You only owe tax on the interest when you redeem the bond or it reaches final maturity. The calculator shows the total value, but for tax purposes, only the interest portion is taxable in the year you cash it.

Can I check a bond value on my phone?

Yes. The Treasury's website and calculator work on mobile browsers. You can also download the TreasuryDirect mobile app if you have an account, which lets you view your bond values from your phone anytime.