Today’s best interest rates on CDs, or certificates of deposit, pay 4.50% and higher, depending on the CD’s term. Take a look at the top rates being offered across CDs of various durations.
Related: Compare the Best CD Rates
Highest CD Rates

CD Rates Today

Term
Highest Rate
Average APY

6 Months
4.74%
1.89%

12 Months
5.00%
2.43%

18 Months
4.97%
3.21%

24 Months
4.50%
2.54%

60 Months
N/A*
2.82%

*Highest reported in the last week. Data unavailable for today.

Source: Bankrate.com. Quoted rates are based on the highest clicked-on rate for each CD term. For banks and credit unions offering top rates, check out our list of the best CD rates.

#footable_514496 { font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; }#footable_514496,#footable_514496 table { background-color: !important; color: !important; border-color: !important;}#footable_514496 thead tr.footable-filtering th { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_514496:not(.hide_all_borders) thead tr.footable-filtering th { border : 1px solid transparent !important; }#footable_514496 .input-group-btn:last-child > .btn:not(:last-child):not(.dropdown-toggle) { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_514496 tr.footable-header, #footable_514496 tr.footable-header th, .colored_table table.ninja_table_pro.inverted.table.footable-details tbody tr th { background-color: rgba(57, 91, 182, 1) !important; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) !important;}#footable_514496 tbody tr:hover { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_514496 tbody tr:hover td { border-color: !important;}#footable_514496 tfoot .footable-paging { background-color: !important;}#footable_514496 tfoot .footable-paging .footable-page.active a { background-color: !important;}#footable_514496:not(.hide_all_borders) tfoot tr.footable-paging td { border-color: !important;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021 { position: relative;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021::before, .footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021::after { content: ""; position: absolute; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 30px; background: linear-gradient(270deg, #FFFFFF -34.71%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 60%); z-index: 1; display: none;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.left-end::before, .footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.center::before { display: block; right: -1px;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.right-end::after { display: block; left: 0; width: 20px; background: linear-gradient(270deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) -87%, #FFFFFF 217%);}#footable_parent_514496 .table { border-radius: 8px; border: none; font-family: EuclidCircularB, sans-serif;}#footable_parent_514496 .table th:first-child { border-radius: 8px 0 0 0;}#footable_parent_514496 .table th:last-child { border-radius: 0 8px 0 0;}#footable_parent_514496 .table th:only-child { border-radius: 8px 8px 0 0;}#footable_parent_514496 .table tr:last-child td:first-child { border-radius: 0 0 0 8px;}#footable_parent_514496 .table tr:last-child td:last-child { border-radius: 0 0 8px 0;}#footable_parent_514496 .table tr td, #footable_parent_514496 .table tr th { border-left: none;}#footable_parent_514496 .table tbody tr td { border-top: none; min-width: 150px;}#footable_parent_514496 .table tbody tr td:first-child { border-left: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}#footable_parent_514496 .table tbody tr td:last-child { border-right: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}#footable_parent_514496 .table tbody tr:nth-child(odd) { background: #F4F6FC;}#footable_parent_514496 .table tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #fff;}#footable_parent_514496 tr.footable-header, #footable_parent_514496 tr.footable-header th { font-weight: 600; font-size: 18px; font-family: EuclidCircularB, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: #FFFFFF;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody h1, #footable_parent_514496 tbody h2, #footable_parent_514496 tbody h3, #footable_parent_514496 tbody h4, #footable_parent_514496 tbody h5, #footable_parent_514496 tbody h6 { margin-bottom: 0;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody td { font-weight: 500; font-size: 18px; line-height: 32px; color: #333333;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody .learn-more-btn { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); background: #35B782; box-shadow: 0px 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; min-width: 180px; text-align: center; font-size: 16px;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody .company-row img { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody .company-txt { font-weight: 500; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; color: #395BB6;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody .learn-more-below-text { font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; color: #333333;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody .fb-rating-nt-img img { height: 19px;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody .fb-rating-nt-wrapper h2 { font-size: 32px;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_best_for, #footable_parent_514496 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_federal_filing_fee, #footable_parent_514496 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_state_filing_fee { vertical-align: baseline;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody .learn-more-nt-column { text-align: center;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody span:empty { display: none;}#footable_parent_514496 tbody tr:last-child td { border-bottom: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}@media (max-width: 1023px) { #footable_parent_514496 tbody .company-txt, #footable_parent_514496 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_best_for, #footable_parent_514496 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_federal_filing_fee, #footable_parent_514496 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_state_filing_fee { font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px; } #footable_parent_514496 tbody .fb-rating-nt-wrapper h2 { font-size: 24px; }}#footable_514496 td.ninja_column_0 { text-align: center; }#footable_514496 th.ninja_column_0 { text-align: center; }#footable_514496 td.ninja_column_1 { text-align: center; }#footable_514496 th.ninja_column_1 { text-align: center; }#footable_514496 td.ninja_column_2 { text-align: center; }#footable_514496 th.ninja_column_2 { text-align: center; }
#footable_514450 { font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; }#footable_514450,#footable_514450 table { background-color: !important; color: !important; border-color: !important;}#footable_514450 thead tr.footable-filtering th { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_514450:not(.hide_all_borders) thead tr.footable-filtering th { border : 1px solid transparent !important; }#footable_514450 .input-group-btn:last-child > .btn:not(:last-child):not(.dropdown-toggle) { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_514450 tr.footable-header, #footable_514450 tr.footable-header th, .colored_table table.ninja_table_pro.inverted.table.footable-details tbody tr th { background-color: rgba(55, 89, 180, 1) !important; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) !important;}#footable_514450 tbody tr:hover { background-color: !important; color: !important;}#footable_514450 tbody tr:hover td { border-color: !important;}#footable_514450 tfoot .footable-paging { background-color: !important;}#footable_514450 tfoot .footable-paging .footable-page.active a { background-color: !important;}#footable_514450:not(.hide_all_borders) tfoot tr.footable-paging td { border-color: !important;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021 { position: relative;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021::before, .footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021::after { content: ""; position: absolute; top: 0; height: 100%; width: 30px; background: linear-gradient(270deg, #FFFFFF -34.71%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 60%); z-index: 1; display: none;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.left-end::before, .footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.center::before { display: block; right: -1px;}.footable-parent-wrapper-gcw-2021.right-end::after { display: block; left: 0; width: 20px; background: linear-gradient(270deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) -87%, #FFFFFF 217%);}#footable_parent_514450 .table { border-radius: 8px; border: none; font-family: EuclidCircularB, sans-serif;}#footable_parent_514450 .table th:first-child { border-radius: 8px 0 0 0;}#footable_parent_514450 .table th:last-child { border-radius: 0 8px 0 0;}#footable_parent_514450 .table th:only-child { border-radius: 8px 8px 0 0;}#footable_parent_514450 .table tr:last-child td:first-child { border-radius: 0 0 0 8px;}#footable_parent_514450 .table tr:last-child td:last-child { border-radius: 0 0 8px 0;}#footable_parent_514450 .table tr td, #footable_parent_514450 .table tr th { border-left: none;}#footable_parent_514450 .table tbody tr td { border-top: none; min-width: 150px;}#footable_parent_514450 .table tbody tr td:first-child { border-left: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}#footable_parent_514450 .table tbody tr td:last-child { border-right: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}#footable_parent_514450 .table tbody tr:nth-child(odd) { background: #F4F6FC;}#footable_parent_514450 .table tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #fff;}#footable_parent_514450 tr.footable-header, #footable_parent_514450 tr.footable-header th { font-weight: 600; font-size: 18px; font-family: EuclidCircularB, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: #FFFFFF;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody h1, #footable_parent_514450 tbody h2, #footable_parent_514450 tbody h3, #footable_parent_514450 tbody h4, #footable_parent_514450 tbody h5, #footable_parent_514450 tbody h6 { margin-bottom: 0;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody td { font-weight: 500; font-size: 18px; line-height: 32px; color: #333333;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody .learn-more-btn { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); background: #35B782; box-shadow: 0px 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 8px; min-width: 180px; text-align: center; font-size: 16px;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody .company-row img { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody .company-txt { font-weight: 500; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; color: #395BB6;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody .learn-more-below-text { font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; color: #333333;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody .fb-rating-nt-img img { height: 19px;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody .fb-rating-nt-wrapper h2 { font-size: 32px;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_best_for, #footable_parent_514450 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_federal_filing_fee, #footable_parent_514450 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_state_filing_fee { vertical-align: baseline;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody .learn-more-nt-column { text-align: center;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody span:empty { display: none;}#footable_parent_514450 tbody tr:last-child td { border-bottom: 1px solid #A1ACE6;}@media (max-width: 1023px) { #footable_parent_514450 tbody .company-txt, #footable_parent_514450 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_best_for, #footable_parent_514450 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_federal_filing_fee, #footable_parent_514450 tbody .ninja_clmn_nm_state_filing_fee { font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px; } #footable_parent_514450 tbody .fb-rating-nt-wrapper h2 { font-size: 24px; }}#footable_514450 td.ninja_column_0 { text-align: center; }#footable_514450 th.ninja_column_0 { text-align: center; }#footable_514450 td.ninja_column_1 { text-align: center; }#footable_514450 th.ninja_column_1 { text-align: center; }#footable_514450 td.ninja_column_2 { text-align: center; }#footable_514450 th.ninja_column_2 { text-align: center; }

Current 6-Month CD Rates
If you’d like a CD with a shorter term than one year, today’s best rate on a six-month CD is 4.74%. The current average APY for a six-month CD is 1.89%, steady with last week at this time.
APY provides a more accurate depiction of the annual interest you’ll earn with a CD because it takes into account compound interest. That’s the interest you earn not only on your deposit (or principal) but also on the interest itself.
Current 9-Month CD Rates
Nine-month CDs today are being offered at an average APY of 2.55%, the same as a week ago.
Current 1-Year CD Rates
The highest interest rate currently being offered on a 12-month CD—one of the most popular CD terms—is 5.00%. If you find a 12-month CD with a rate in that neighborhood, you’re getting a good deal. One week ago, the best rate was a higher 5.12%.
The average APY, or annual percentage yield, on a one-year CD is now 2.43%, the same as a week ago.
Current 15-Month CD Rates
Within the last week, the top rate on a 15-month CD has been 4.85%.
Current 2-Year CD Rates
If you can hold out for two years, 24-month CDs today are being offered at interest rates as high as 4.50% APY. The top rate last week at this time was a similar 4.50%. Two-year CDs now have an average APY of 2.54%. That’s the same as last week at this time.
Current 3-Year CD Rates
CDs with longer terms tend to have some of the most attractive interest rates and APYs—if you’re willing to keep your money locked up for years.
The average APY on a three-year CD is now 2.72%, the same as a week ago.
Current 5-Year CD Rates
APYs are averaging 2.82%, the same as this time last week.
The longer the term, the harsher the early withdrawal penalty. It’s not unusual to lose one full year’s worth of interest or more if you break open a five-year CD too soon. Be absolutely certain you understand the penalty before you make your investment.
Related: CD Interest Rates Forecast: How Good Will They Get?
How to Open a CD
You “purchase” a CD from a financial institution by opening the account with a lump-sum deposit, which becomes the CD’s principal. Many CDs and share certificates (accounts similar to bank CDs but offered by credit unions) have minimum deposits that must be met, and those can be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Once you deposit your principal, you start the clock on your timed investment and begin earning interest. The bank or credit union will provide you with regular statements showing how much interest you’re accruing.
Remember, you must avoid the temptation of tapping into your CD before the term ends. Early withdrawal penalties can be so severe that they take back your interest and then start eating into your principal.
Are CDs a Good Deal?
CDs typically pay higher interest than other savings vehicles, even the best high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts. And while they may not offer the kind of enviable returns that are possible with stocks, CDs beat the more attention-getting investments in one regard: They’re one of the safest places to put your money.
Investors lost millions in the 2022 crypto crash, and putting your money into the stock market, real estate or gold and other commodities can be risky, too. But when you buy a certificate of deposit or credit union share certificate from a federally insured financial institution, you can sleep easily with the knowledge that your investment is protected.
The FDIC provides you with up to $250,000 in coverage in the event the bank issuing your CD ever fails. For share certificates purchased from federal credit unions and most state-chartered credit unions, the NCUA insures your money up to the same limit.