Straight-Line Depreciation Formula

    Straight-line depreciation spreads the cost of an asset evenly over its useful life. It's the simplest and most commonly used depreciation method.

    Straight-Line Depreciation

    Annual Depreciation = (Cost - Salvage Value) / Useful Life

    Where:

    • Cost = Original purchase price of the asset
    • Salvage = Estimated value at end of useful life
    • Life = Useful life in years

    Step-by-Step:

    1. 1

      Determine asset cost

      Include purchase price, installation, and setup costs.

    2. 2

      Estimate salvage value

      What the asset will be worth at the end of its life.

    3. 3

      Divide by useful life

      (Cost - Salvage) / Years = annual depreciation expense.

    Worked Examples:

    Office computer

    Cost: ₹80,000Salvage: ₹5,000Life: 5 years

    Result: ₹15,000/year

    (80,000 - 5,000) / 5 = ₹15,000 annual depreciation

    Frequently Asked Questions