How to use the Double Declining Balance Calculator
The Double Declining Balance Calculator works out your first year depreciation, along with 2 related figures in an instant. Enter asset cost (book value) and useful life and the result updates as you type — it is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser so your figures stay private.
Enter the asset cost (book value).
Enter the useful life.
Read off your first year depreciation, together with depreciation rate and book value after year 1 — the calculator updates automatically, with no button to press.
Formula
The Double Declining Balance Calculator uses the formula:
First year depreciation = Asset cost (book value) × 2 ÷ Useful life
Worked example
For example, with asset cost (book value) of ₹100,000 and useful life of 5 years, the first year depreciation is ₹40,000.
Inputs used
Asset cost (book value)
₹100,000
Useful life
5 years
Results
First year depreciation
₹40,000
Depreciation rate
40.0%
Book value after year 1
₹60,000
Results are estimates for educational use, not professional advice.
The reduction in an asset's value over time as it is used or ages.
Frequently asked questions
The rate is 2 ÷ useful life, applied to the book value. For a 5-year asset that is 40%, so 1,00,000 depreciates 40,000 in year one.
It uses double the straight-line rate, so it is an accelerated method that records more depreciation early.
It suits assets that lose value or productivity quickly, like technology and vehicles, matching expense to early heavy use.
Once the book value approaches salvage, businesses often switch to straight line to finish depreciating the asset evenly.
The Double Declining Balance Calculator uses the formula: First year depreciation = Asset cost (book value) × 2 ÷ Useful life. For example, with asset cost (book value) of ₹100,000 and useful life of 5 years, the first year depreciation is ₹40,000.
Enter the asset cost (book value). Enter the useful life. Read off your first year depreciation, together with depreciation rate and book value after year 1 — the calculator updates automatically, with no button to press.
Reference table of first year depreciation for Double Declining Balance across a range of asset cost (book value) values — exact, engine-computed figures you can read off at a glance.