Liquid, investable, and total are three different numbers
Total net worth includes the house and the cars. Investable net worth excludes both and is what actually funds retirement. Liquid net worth excludes retirement accounts too and is what covers an emergency. A household can look wealthy on the first measure and be fragile on the third — track all three.
Should the house count?
Yes, at market value minus the mortgage, because it is a real asset. But it does not generate income, it costs money to hold, and converting it to cash means selling or borrowing. When planning retirement income, run the numbers again with home equity excluded and see whether the plan still works.
Negative net worth is normal at some ages
Anyone recently out of education with student loans and no assets is negative, and that is arithmetic, not failure. What matters is direction. Tracking the number quarterly turns an abstract feeling into a trend line, and the trend is what predicts where you end up.
The fastest movers
In the early years, debt reduction moves the number most — paying $500 against a loan raises net worth by exactly $500, guaranteed. Later, investment returns take over: once investable assets pass roughly $250,000, a normal market year moves your net worth more than your savings rate does. Knowing which phase you are in tells you where to spend your attention.
Related guides
Long-form playbooks on the same topic, written by the RevenueLab editorial team.
FAQ
How do I calculate my net worth?
Add everything you own at realistic current value — cash, investments, retirement accounts, home, vehicles — and subtract everything you owe: mortgage, car loans, student loans, credit cards. The difference is your net worth.
What is a good net worth for my age?
US medians run roughly $40,000 at 30, $135,000 at 40, $300,000 at 50 and $365,000 at 60. The calculator compares your figure against the median for your age, but the trend in your own number matters more than the comparison.
Should I include my 401(k) in net worth?
Yes. It is yours, even if withdrawing early carries tax and penalties. Track it separately as 'investable' so you can also see the picture without it.
Does my car count as an asset?
Yes, at trade-in value rather than purchase price. It is a depreciating asset — the honest valuation usually surprises people, and that is exactly the point of doing the exercise.
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