ETF Fee Calculator
How much do ETF fees actually cost you over time? This calculator shows the drag of expense ratios and trading fees on your long-term returns — even small differences add up.
ETF Fee Calculator
See how fees erode your investment returns over time
Expense ratios are deducted daily from the fund's NAV. Trading commissions are per trade fees from your broker. Many brokers now offer commission free ETF trading. A 0.03% expense ratio on a $100k portfolio costs ~$30/year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ETF fees cost over time?+
A 0.03% expense ratio on $100,000 over 30 years costs ~$6,000. A 0.50% ratio costs ~$98,000. That's a $92,000 difference from a 0.47% fee gap. Always choose low-cost index ETFs (0.03-0.10%) over actively managed funds (0.50-1.50%).
What is the average ETF expense ratio?+
Index ETFs: 0.03-0.20% (Vanguard S&P 500: 0.03%). Active ETFs: 0.40-1.00%. Specialty/sector ETFs: 0.50-0.75%. The trend is toward zero — Fidelity and Schwab now offer zero-fee index funds. But check tracking error, not just expense ratio.
Are ETFs or mutual funds cheaper?+
ETFs are generally cheaper. Average ETF expense ratio: 0.16%. Average mutual fund: 0.47%. ETFs also have lower tax costs (fewer capital gains distributions) and no minimum investment requirements. For most investors, low-cost index ETFs are the best choice.
How much do ETF fees cost over time?
A 0.03% expense ratio on $100,000 over 30 years costs ~$6,000. A 0.50% ratio costs ~$98,000. That's a $92,000 difference from a 0.47% fee gap. Always choose low-cost index ETFs (0.03-0.10%) over actively managed funds (0.50-1.50%).