How the net worth calculator works
Last updated 10 November 2026
Net worth is a simple sum: total assets minus total liabilities. Assets are things you own that have a value, such as savings, investments, a retirement fund, a home and a car. Liabilities are what you owe, such as a bond, vehicle finance, loans and credit card balances.
How it works
- List each asset at what it is worth today, not what you paid.
- List each debt at the balance still owing, not the original loan.
- Net worth is total assets minus total liabilities. It can be negative.
- The liabilities share shows how much of the value of your assets is matched by debt.
Worked example
The starting figures are examples only.
- Total assets are R 2 205 000.
- Total liabilities are R 1 172 000.
- Net worth is R 2 205 000 − R 1 172 000 = R 1 033 000.
- Liabilities are 53% of assets.
How to read your result
Net worth is a snapshot of one day. With the starting figures, assets of R 2 205 000 less liabilities of R 1 172 000 give R 1 033 000. A positive figure means you own more than you owe. A negative figure means the debts are larger than the assets, which is common early in a working life or after a large bond.
The category totals show where the value sits. Someone whose net worth is mostly a home has less money available quickly than someone whose net worth is mostly savings and investments. The calculator reports the split and leaves the conclusion to you.
A closer look at assets and debts
- Property: use a recent valuation, a municipal valuation or the selling prices of similar homes nearby. Asking prices tend to be higher than selling prices.
- Vehicles: cars lose value over time. Use a trade-in or retail guide value for your make, model and mileage.
- Retirement funds: use the current fund value shown on your statement. You usually cannot reach this money before retirement, so it is a different kind of asset from a savings account.
- Debts: use the settlement balance or the balance on the latest statement. Include credit cards, store accounts, personal loans and any money you owe family or friends.
Common mistakes
- Counting a bond at the original loan amount instead of the balance still owing.
- Leaving out small debts such as store accounts, which can add up.
- Listing contents and furniture at what they cost new. Many households leave these out or use a low second-hand value.
- Putting the same money in twice, for example a savings account and the investment it was moved into.
What this does not show
Net worth does not show your income, your spending or how easily you could turn assets into cash. It also leaves out future amounts, such as a pension you are still building or a loan you have not yet taken. The monthly budget planner covers cash flow, so this tool can stay with the bigger picture. Nothing you enter is saved, so download your data if you want to compare it next time.
Things to watch
- Values for property and vehicles are estimates. Use a recent valuation or similar sales.
- Retirement funds may be taxed when you take the money. The calculator shows the fund value, not what you would receive after tax.
- Update the figures every few months to see the trend. The direction matters more than any single number.
This tool shows facts about the figures you enter and is not financial advice. See the disclaimer. To grow the number, see the savings goals planner and the compound interest calculator.