Straight Line Depreciation Calculator (with Charts)

Calculate asset depreciation with our easy Straight Line Depreciation Calculator. Enter cost, salvage value & useful life to get annual rate.

Straight Line Depreciation Formula

Straight-line depreciation is a method of calculating the depreciation of an asset that evenly spreads the depreciation expense over the useful life of the asset. The formula for straight-line depreciation is simple:

The formula takes into account three variables:

1. The asset cost is the original cost of the asset when it was purchased.
2. The salvage value is the estimated value of the asset at the end of its useful life. This value is also known as the scrap value, residual value, or salvage value.
3. The useful life is the estimated length of time that the asset will be used in the business before it is sold or disposed of.

By dividing the difference between the asset cost and salvage value by the useful life of the asset, you can determine the annual depreciation expense for the asset. This expense can then be subtracted from the asset's book value each year until the end of its useful life.

It's important to note that the straight-line depreciation method assumes that the asset depreciates at a constant rate over its useful life, which may not always be the case in reality. Additionally, there may be tax implications to consider when choosing a depreciation method for your business, so it's always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or accountant before making any decisions.

Straight Line Method of Depreciation Example

Let's say you own a small business and you purchase a delivery truck for $30,000. You estimate that the useful life of the truck will be 5 years and that its salvage value will be $5,000 at the end of that time.

To calculate the annual depreciation expense using the straight line method, you would use the following formula:

Plugging in the values for your delivery truck, you get:

So the annual depreciation expense for your delivery truck using the straight line method is $5,000. This means that at the end of the first year, the book value of the truck will be $25,000 ($30,000 - $5,000), and at the end of the second year, the book value will be $20,000 ($25,000 - $5,000), and so on.

The straight line method of depreciation is a simple and straightforward way to spread out the cost of an asset over its useful life. It's important to note that while this method may be easier to calculate, it may not always be the most accurate method for determining the true value of an asset over time. As with any financial decision, it's always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or accountant before making any major decisions related to depreciation methods for your business.

Why Choose Straight-Line Depreciation Instead of Other Depreciation Methods

Straight-line depreciation is a popular and straightforward method for calculating depreciation that evenly spreads the depreciation expense over the useful life of an asset. Compared to other methods such as Double Declining Balance (DDB), straight-line depreciation is much simpler to calculate and track over time.

With straight-line depreciation, the depreciation amount for each year is the same, which makes it easy to calculate the annual depreciation expense and to track the asset's value over time. This can be especially useful for businesses that have a large number of assets to manage and need to keep accurate records of their asset values.

Overall, choosing straight-line depreciation over other methods can help simplify the process of calculating and tracking asset depreciation, which can save time and reduce the risk of errors.