EveryCalc

Finance category

Mortgage, loan, investing, tax, and money calculators.

Browse finance

Equity Multiple Calculator

Calculate the equity multiple for a real estate deal: total cash distributions (operating cash flow plus net sale proceeds) divided by initial equity invested. Includes annualized return.

$
$
$
%
$

Equity multiple

2.96×

total distributions / equity

Total profit

$166,200

195.5% total ROI

Annualized return

16.74%

CAGR equivalent

Total cash distributions

$251,200

cash flow + net sale

Reading the number

Equity multiple measures total dollars returned per dollar invested across the entire hold. A 2.0× means you got back $2 for every $1 invested. It complements IRR — equity multiple is total dollars; IRR/CAGR is time-weighted return.

Net sale proceeds: $213,400. Cumulative cash flow during hold: $37,800. Together they equal total distributions divided by equity to produce the multiple.

How to Use

  1. Enter the equity you invested upfront (down payment + closing + initial rehab).
  2. Enter expected average annual cash flow during the hold.
  3. Enter the planned hold period in years.
  4. Enter the projected sale price, sales costs percentage, and remaining loan payoff at sale.
  5. Read equity multiple, total profit, ROI, and annualized return.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does equity multiple differ from IRR?

Equity multiple measures total dollars returned per dollar invested over the full hold, ignoring timing. IRR is time-weighted — it heavily rewards earlier returns. Both matter; investors usually look at both.

What's a good equity multiple?

Depends on hold period and risk. 1.5–2.0× over 5 years is solid for stabilized rentals. 2.0–2.5× over 5–7 years is typical target for value-add multifamily. Opportunistic deals target 2.5×+ over similar holds.

Does it include the return of capital?

Yes — equity multiple counts every dollar back to the investor, including the return of original capital. A 1.0× means you got your money back with no profit. 2.0× means you doubled your money.

What if I refinance and pull out cash mid-hold?

Refinance proceeds count as a distribution. Add them to the annual cash flow average or include separately. Some investors track 'equity multiple after refi' to see the boost a cash-out provides.

Related Calculators

More Finance Calculators

Browse all finance

Keep exploring

Next steps in Finance

View finance hub →