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CD ladder and T-bill ladder calculator

Worked examples of a 5-rung CD ladder and a T-bill ladder for $10,000.00, computed from the FDIC national averages published Oct 19, 2026 and the latest Treasury bill auction results.

The numbers update automatically on every data refresh.

Arithmetic on published national averages and auction results, not offers from any institution and not personalized guidance.

5-rung CD ladder: $10,000.00 at FDIC national averages

Equal amounts in 1- to 5-year CDs. Interest assumes annual compounding at the national average rate held to maturity.

RungAmountNational rateMaturesInterest to maturity
12-month CD$2,000.001.76%Year 1$35.20
24-month CD$2,000.001.55%Year 2$62.48
36-month CD$2,000.001.39%Year 3$84.56
48-month CD$2,000.001.31%Year 4$106.88
60-month CD$2,000.001.41%Year 5$145.03
Total$10,000.00$434.16

Source: FDIC, National Rates and Rate Caps, Oct 19, 2026, retrieved 2026-10-22 00:35 CDT. National rates are deposit-weighted averages across insured institutions and credit unions computed by the FDIC; savings and interest checking use the $2,500 tier, money market and CDs average the $10,000 and $100,000 tiers. They are averages, not offers from any institution. Change is in percentage points. The rate cap applies to banks that are less than well capitalized.

T-bill ladder: $10,000.00 across bill maturities

U.S. Treasury securities: not FDIC-insured · not bank deposits · market value can change before maturity

Equal amounts in each bill term at the latest auction investment rate (bond-equivalent yield), simple interest for one holding period.

RungAmountInvestment rateAuction dateInterest for one term
4-Week bill$2,000.004.068%Oct 15, 2026$6.26
8-Week bill$2,000.004.132%Oct 15, 2026$12.71
13-Week bill$2,000.004.185%Oct 13, 2026$20.93
26-Week bill$2,000.004.351%Oct 13, 2026$43.51
52-Week bill$2,000.004.616%Sep 29, 2026$92.32
Total$10,000.00$175.73

Source: U.S. Treasury Fiscal Data. Treasury interest is exempt from state and local income tax.

Annual interest per $1,000 at each national CD rate

CD termNational rate1-year interest per $1,000
1-month CD0.23%$2.30
3-month CD1.14%$11.40
6-month CD1.39%$13.90
12-month CD1.76%$17.60
24-month CD1.55%$15.50
36-month CD1.39%$13.90
48-month CD1.31%$13.10
60-month CD1.41%$14.10

Source: FDIC, National Rates and Rate Caps, Oct 19, 2026, retrieved 2026-10-22 00:35 CDT. National rates are deposit-weighted averages across insured institutions and credit unions computed by the FDIC; savings and interest checking use the $2,500 tier, money market and CDs average the $10,000 and $100,000 tiers. They are averages, not offers from any institution. Change is in percentage points. The rate cap applies to banks that are less than well capitalized.

Related: T-bill vs CD after state tax · auction calendar · rates this week.

Frequently asked questions

What is a CD ladder?

A CD ladder splits one amount across several certificates with staggered maturities (for example 1 to 5 years), so one portion matures each period. It is a structure, not a product; the tables here only show the arithmetic using FDIC national averages.

What is a T-bill ladder?

A T-bill ladder spreads money across Treasury bills that mature on different dates (for example 4, 13, 26 and 52 weeks). Bills are sold at a discount at auction and pay face value at maturity; interest is exempt from state and local income tax.

Why use national averages?

They are the only consistent, official, institution-neutral rates published for every CD term. Individual bank offers can be much higher or lower than the FDIC national average.

Does this table tell me what to do?

No. It is a worked example of simple interest on published averages. It ignores compounding differences, taxes, early-withdrawal penalties, reinvestment rates and fees.