Sum of Years Digits Calculator

About this calculator

Sum-of-years-digits (SYD) is an accelerated depreciation method that front-loads more expense into early years of an asset's life. It works by summing the digits of the useful life (for a 5-year asset: 5+4+3+2+1=15), then applying each year's remaining-life number as a fraction of that sum — year 1 gets 5/15 of depreciable cost, year 2 gets 4/15, and so on — where depreciable cost is (original cost − salvage value).

This calculator takes an asset's cost, salvage value, useful life, and a chosen year, and returns that year's depreciation expense, accumulated depreciation, and remaining book value. Accountants and financial controllers use SYD for assets that lose value or usefulness faster early on (like vehicles or tech equipment), matching the expense recognized to the actual pattern of value loss more closely than straight-line depreciation.