Depreciation calculator
Work out how much value an asset loses each year, two ways using your own figures. Check the assumptions before you act on the result.
Your figures
Result
- Annual straight line depreciation
- ₹2,75,000.00
- Annual wdv depreciation
- ₹3,60,000.00
How it is worked out
straight line: (cost - salvage) ÷ useful life years; written down value: opening value x rate % each year (rate is an input) [VERIFY rates for books and tax]
annual_straight_line_depreciation = (asset_cost-salvage_value)/useful_life_yearsannual_wdv_depreciation = opening_book_value*wdv_rate_percent/100
Check before you rely on it. Verify book and tax depreciation rules and rates. Have an accountant or the right specialist check any figure that affects tax, a legal duty, safety or a large purchase.
What it works out
The depreciation calculator turns records from the business into a figure for this decision: how much value an asset loses each year, two ways. Use it when the responsible owner and accountant needs a consistent answer for this specific task. The answer uses only the values entered. Record the measurement period beside it.
What you need
| Input | Unit | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Asset cost (example: ₹24,00,000) | ₹ | Take asset cost from the latest cost sheet, supplier quote, agreement or invoice. |
| Salvage value (example: ₹2,00,000) | ₹ | Enter salvage value using the current job, register or approved business plan. |
| Useful life years (example: 8 years) | years | Enter useful life years using the current job, register or approved business plan. |
| Opening book value (example: ₹24,00,000) | ₹ | Enter opening book value using the current job, register or approved business plan. |
| Wdv rate percent (example: 15 %) | % | Use the applicable agreement, portal, bank statement or current verified rule for wdv rate percent. |
Use the same item, period and measurement unit for related inputs. If a figure comes from an estimate rather than an actual record, mark it as estimated. Keep your original figures beside the result.
The formula
In plain words, calculate annual wdv depreciation using the measured inputs below. The expressions are shown without hidden rounding so they can be checked by hand.
- annual straight line depreciation:
annual_straight_line_depreciation = (asset_cost-salvage_value)/useful_life_years. - annual wdv depreciation:
annual_wdv_depreciation = opening_book_value*wdv_rate_percent/100.
Formula basis from the supplied taxonomy: straight line: (cost - salvage) ÷ useful life years; written down value: opening value x rate % each year (rate is an input) [VERIFY rates for books and tax]. Straight-line gives a constant annual charge. Written-down value charges a percentage of the opening book value.
A worked example
Illustrative example: a food processor uses the figures in the table above. These are example inputs, not industry averages. For this example, the main figures are asset cost: ₹24,00,000, salvage value: ₹2,00,000, useful life years: 8 years, opening book value: ₹24,00,000.
- Annual straight line depreciation:
(asset_cost-salvage_value)/useful_life_years. With the example figures,(2400000.0 - 200000.0) / 8.0gives ₹2,75,000. - Annual wdv depreciation:
opening_book_value*wdv_rate_percent/100. With the example figures,2400000.0 * 15.0 / 100gives ₹3,60,000.
How to act: Use the result to compare it with the bank and cash calendar. Write down the input date and the assumption that could move most.
How to read the result
Example bands, change them for your business:
- Comfortable: Your result meets the target for this item or reporting period. Keep the calculation with its source records and compare it with the bank and cash calendar.
- Watch: The result is close to your action limit, or it changed since the previous calculation. Recheck asset cost and salvage value using the original records.
- Act: The result breaks a limit already agreed by the manager or owner. Record the difference, name a responsible person, and agree a correction date. For an operational starting point, read [Working capital always short](/problems/working-capital-always-short) and [Monthly owner report](/processes/monthly-owner-report). Do not use these example bands as published industry benchmarks.
Copy it into a spreadsheet
Create a sheet with column A for the label and column B for the number or formula. The expressions work in Excel or Google Sheets. Keep input cells editable and result cells protected from typing.
| Cell | Label | Value or formula |
|---|---|---|
| B2 | asset cost | 2400000.000000 |
| B3 | salvage value | 200000.000000 |
| B4 | useful life years | 8.000000 |
| B5 | opening book value | 2400000.000000 |
| B6 | wdv rate percent | 15.000000 |
| B8 | annual straight line depreciation | =((B2-B3)/B4) |
| B9 | annual wdv depreciation | =((B5*B6)/100) |
For any formula containing a divisor, enter a value above zero. For any monetary output, format the cell in Indian rupees. Do not replace the cells with rounded figures until the final display.
What this calculator leaves out
- A period average hides daily peaks, uncertain collections and seasonal payment timing.
- Book depreciation and tax depreciation can follow different rules. This page keeps the written-down rate as a user input.
- The formula does not check whether the records are complete. Start with balances from Tally and the bank statement, then separate disputed or unlikely receipts.
Common mistakes
- Mixing periods. Using asset cost from one month with salvage value from another produces a number that looks precise but is hard to act on.
- Trusting old figures. Recheck the relevant source record before reusing last month's saved inputs. Read the result alongside the dates cash must actually leave the bank.
- Treating an estimate as approval. Record which assumptions were entered by hand. Get the relevant owner, accountant or technician to check unusual values.
A number like this helps only if someone works it out again when things change.
Questions people ask
Where do I find the numbers for depreciation calculator?
Take asset cost from the latest cost sheet, supplier quote, agreement or invoice. Enter salvage value using the current job, register or approved business plan. Keep all inputs from the same period.
Can I use this number to approve a purchase or payment?
Use it as a first check. Use the result to compare it with the bank and cash calendar. Write down the input date and the assumption that could move most. If the result affects tax, legal duties, workplace safety or a major investment, obtain the appropriate review.
When should I calculate it again?
Recalculate when a meaningful input changes, and at the next regular review of the relevant register. Save the date and the input values so changes can be explained.