GDP calculator
Gross domestic product from spending, plus real GDP, GDP per person and growth.
About this calculator
This GDP calculator adds up gross domestic product the way statistics offices do with the spending approach: consumption, investment, government spending and net exports.
Add a price deflator, the population and last year's GDP to see real GDP, GDP per person and the growth rate.
How it works
By the spending approach, GDP = C + I + G + (X − M): consumer spending, business investment, government spending and exports, less imports. Real GDP is nominal GDP ÷ the price deflator × 100.
Last reviewed:
Worked example
- Consumer spending (C), in billions: 18,000
- Investment (I), in billions: 5,000
- Government spending (G), in billions: 4,800
- Exports (X), in billions: 3,100
- Imports (M), in billions: 3,900
- GDP price deflator: 100
GDP, in billions: $27,000.00
Common questions
How is GDP calculated?
By the spending approach, GDP = C + I + G + (X − M), adding consumer spending, investment, government spending and net exports.
What is the difference between nominal and real GDP?
Nominal GDP uses current prices. Real GDP removes inflation with a price deflator, so it shows changes in actual output.
Why are imports subtracted?
Spending on imports is counted in C, I and G but isn't produced at home, so it is taken out to leave domestic production.
Sources and further reading
The story behind it
Where the idea came from: The economist Simon Kuznets produced the first official estimates of US national income for Congress in 1934.
He warned that a nation's welfare can hardly be judged from its national income alone. GDP still became the standard yardstick of economies after the Second World War.
Why you can trust this calculator
- It runs in your browser. Nothing you type into it is sent anywhere.
- The method is explained on this page, so you can check it yourself.
- Free to use, with no sign-up.
- Results are estimates, not financial advice.
- Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll look into it.
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