Skip to content
Finance

What is Net worth?

Net worth is what you own minus what you owe — your total assets (cash, investments, property) less your total debts. It's a single snapshot of your financial health, and growing it over time is a core goal of personal finance.

See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains net worth.
▶ Watch the visual lesson

Key things to understand

  • 1Net worth = total assets − total liabilities.
  • 2Assets: cash, investments, property, valuables.
  • 3Liabilities: loans, mortgages, credit card debt.
  • 4It's a key snapshot of financial health.

Frequently asked questions

What is net worth?
The total value of what you own minus what you owe — your assets less your debts.
How do you calculate net worth?
Add up all your assets, then subtract all your debts and liabilities.
Can net worth be negative?
Yes — if your debts exceed your assets, your net worth is negative, common early in life with loans.

Related topics