How much can you earn staking crypto?

Staking earnings depend on the token, the annual percentage yield (APY), the amount staked, and how often rewards compound. As of 2026, typical APYs are approximately 3-4% for Ethereum, 6-7% for Solana, 12% for Polkadot, and 15-20% for Cosmos. Staking $10,000 of ETH at 3.5% APY for one year would earn roughly $350 in rewards, before accounting for any token price changes.

What is the APY for staking ETH?

The APY for staking Ethereum fluctuates based on network participation and transaction fees. As of 2026, native ETH staking yields approximately 3-4% APY. Liquid staking protocols like Lido may offer slightly different rates. The APY changes over time as more or fewer validators join the network.

Is staking crypto worth it?

Staking can be worthwhile if you plan to hold a token long-term anyway, since it generates additional yield on an asset you would otherwise leave idle. However, staking is not risk-free: the underlying token price can drop (erasing rewards in dollar terms), validators can be slashed, and unstaking often requires a waiting period. Staking is generally considered worth it for long-term holders who understand the risks.

How often are staking rewards paid?

Staking reward frequency varies by network. Ethereum issues rewards after each epoch (roughly every 6.4 minutes). Solana rewards are distributed at the end of each epoch (about every 2-3 days). Some networks pay rewards daily, and some liquid staking tokens accrue value continuously. The compounding frequency affects your total returns — more frequent compounding yields slightly more.

Do you pay taxes on staking?

In most jurisdictions, staking rewards are treated as taxable income at the time they are received, valued at fair market value. When you later sell or trade the staked tokens, any gain or loss from the cost basis (the value when received) is subject to capital gains tax. Tax treatment varies by country — consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

Crypto Staking Rewards Calculator — How Much Can You Earn?

What is staking?

Staking means locking your cryptocurrency tokens to help secure a blockchain network that uses Proof of Stake. In return, the network pays you rewards — typically in the same token you staked. It is one of the most straightforward ways to earn passive income in crypto, and it does not require you to trade or provide liquidity.

Staking rewards vary widely by network. Ethereum currently pays around 3-4% APY, while chains like Cosmos can offer 15-20%. The calculator below helps you project your earnings for any token and any time period. For a full explanation of how staking works, including liquid staking and restaking, read our guide on what is staking.

Calculate your staking rewards

Amount to stake ($)

APY (%)

Staking period (months)

Compounding

Total value after period

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Total rewards earned

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Monthly breakdown

Month	Starting balance	Rewards earned	Ending balance

APR vs APY: understanding compounding

Two terms describe staking yields, and they are often confused:

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the simple interest rate. If you stake $10,000 at 10% APR for one year, you earn exactly $1,000.
APY (Annual Percentage Yield) accounts for compounding — earning interest on your interest. The same 10% rate with daily compounding gives you an APY of about 10.52%, earning you $1,052 instead of $1,000.

The more frequently rewards compound, the higher the effective yield. Daily compounding produces slightly more than monthly, which produces more than no compounding at all. The difference is most noticeable at higher rates and longer time periods.

Most staking platforms advertise APY (which looks higher), but some quote APR. This calculator accepts APY and adjusts the per-period rate based on your chosen compounding frequency to give accurate projections.

Risks of staking

Staking is often described as "passive income," but it is not without risk. Before committing capital, understand these potential downsides:

Token price can drop. You earn rewards in the staked token. If the token falls 30% while you earn 5% in staking rewards, you still lost money in dollar terms. Staking does not protect you from price volatility.
Slashing. On Proof of Stake networks, validators who misbehave or go offline can have a portion of staked tokens destroyed ("slashed"). If you delegate to a validator that gets slashed, you lose part of your stake. This risk is small for reputable validators but not zero.
Lock-up periods. Many networks require a waiting period to unstake. Ethereum's exit queue can take days, and some chains impose weeks-long unbonding periods. During this time, you cannot sell or use your tokens.
Smart contract risk. If you use a liquid staking protocol (like Lido or Rocket Pool), a bug in the smart contract could lead to loss of funds. This risk does not exist with native staking directly to a validator.
Reward rate changes. Staking APYs are not fixed. They fluctuate based on network participation, inflation schedules, and protocol changes. The rate you see today may be different next month.

Track your staking with CleanSky. CleanSky detects staked positions across multiple chains and shows your accumulated rewards alongside the rest of your portfolio. See everything in one place without connecting your wallet. Try CleanSky.

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Crypto staking rewards calculator

What is staking?

Calculate your staking rewards

Monthly breakdown

APR vs APY: understanding compounding

Risks of staking

Related guides

What Is Staking?

What Is Restaking?

Understanding Risk in DeFi