Staking Rewards Calculator
Project staking returns by APY and lockup period.
What is Crypto Staking?
Staking is the process of locking cryptocurrency in a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain network to support transaction validation and network security. In return, stakers earn rewards in the form of additional tokens. Staking is similar to earning interest on a savings account, but with higher potential returns and different risks.
Staking Rewards Calculation
Staking Rewards = Principal × (APY/100) × (Days Staked / 365). With compounding: Final = Principal × (1 + APY/compounds)^compounds. For example, staking 100 ETH at 5% APY for 1 year with monthly compounding: 100 × (1 + 0.05/12)^12 = 105.12 ETH. Without compounding: 100 × 1.05 = 105 ETH.
Staking Risks to Consider
Price volatility: staked tokens can lose value faster than rewards accumulate. Lockup periods: you cannot sell during market dips. Slashing: validators can lose staked tokens for misbehavior. Protocol risk: smart contract vulnerabilities or network changes. Always research the network and validator before staking.
How to Choose a Staking Validator
Key factors: (1) Commission rate—lower means more rewards for you (typical 2-10%), (2) Uptime—validators with 99%+ uptime avoid slashing penalties, (3) Total stake—avoid oversubscribed validators (rewards are distributed proportionally), (4) Track record—choose validators with long, consistent operation history.
Liquid Staking vs Traditional Staking
Traditional staking: tokens are locked, cannot be transferred or used in DeFi. Liquid staking: you receive a derivative token (e.g., stETH for ETH) that can be traded or used in DeFi while earning staking rewards. Liquid staking offers flexibility but may trade at a discount to the underlying asset.
Comparison Analysis
Staking APY Comparison (Major PoS Networks)
| Criteria | Ethereum | Cardano | Solana | Polkadot | Cosmos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approximate APY | 3-5% | 3-5% | 5-7% | 10-14% | 10-20% |
| Lockup Period | Variable (withdrawal queue) | None | 2-3 days | 28 days | 14-21 days |
| Minimum Stake | 32 ETH (solo) | Any amount | Any amount | Any amount (pooled) | Any amount |
| Slashing Risk | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Content Verification
Expert Review
Reviewed by Sarah Mitchell, Certified Blockchain Professional (CBP), 8+ years crypto experience
Authoritative Sources
Based on Ethereum Foundation documentation, Staking Rewards data, and PoS network specifications
Last Reviewed
Content verified May 2026 against current staking rates and network conditions