Best 6-Month CD Rates (2026)

Compare the highest 6-month CD rates from FDIC-insured banks and credit unions. Get a guaranteed return on your money with just a short lock-up period.

Last updated: March 6, 2026

Current Top 6-Month CD Rate

4.30% APY

Newtek Bank — $0 minimum deposit

View all 6-month CD rates →

Top 6-Month CD Rates

Rank	Bank	APY	Min. Deposit
1	BestNewtek Bank	4.30%	$0	Visit →
2	Premier Credit Union	4.30%	$2	Visit →
3	United Fidelity Bank, fsb	4.20%	$0	Visit →
4	Empeople Credit Union	4.15%	$500	Visit →
5	Northern Bank Direct	4.15%	$500	Visit →
6	Vibrant Credit Union	4.15%	$0	Visit →
7	Communitywide Federal Credit Union	4.10%	$1	Visit →
8	Popular Direct	4.10%	$10	Visit →
9	MTC Federal Credit Union	4.06%	$0	Visit →
10	E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley	4.05%	$0	Visit →

Showing top 10 of 15 6-month CDs. View all 15 rates

How Much Will You Earn With a 6-Month CD?

The table below shows estimated earnings at the current top rate of 4.30% APY over 6 months with monthly compounding. Your actual earnings will depend on your bank's compounding frequency.

Deposit Amount	APY	Interest Earned	Balance at Maturity
$5,000	4.30%	$108	$5,108
$10,000	4.30%	$217	$10,217
$25,000	4.30%	$542	$25,542
$50,000	4.30%	$1,085	$51,085
$100,000	4.30%	$2,169	$102,169

Interest calculations assume monthly compounding and no withdrawals during the term. Use our compound interest calculator for custom scenarios.

What Is a 6-Month CD?

A 6-month certificate of deposit (CD) is a savings product where you deposit money with a bank or credit union for a fixed half-year term. In exchange for locking up your funds, you earn a guaranteed, fixed interest rate that will not change regardless of what happens to market rates during that period.

When the CD matures after 6 months, you receive your original deposit plus all accrued interest. If you need the money before maturity, you can withdraw it but will typically pay an early withdrawal penalty of about 90 days of interest.

The 6-month term is popular among savers who want a short commitment with a competitive rate. It offers a middle ground between the full liquidity of a savings account and the higher rates that longer-term CDs sometimes provide. In many rate environments, 6-month CDs offer rates very close to or even higher than 12-month CDs.

All CDs from FDIC-insured banks are federally protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank — the same coverage as any checking or savings account. Learn more about FDIC insurance.

6-Month CD vs Other CD Terms

How does a 6-month CD compare to other popular terms? Here are today's best rates by term length:

Term	Best APY	Bank	Best For
3-Month	4.15%	Northern Bank Direct	Ultra-short parking, rate uncertainty
6-Month	4.30%	Newtek Bank	Short-term savings, flexibility
12-Month	4.25%	Premier Credit Union	Balanced rate and lock-up period
2-Year	4.20%	Mountain America Credit Union	Medium-term, rate-lock protection
5-Year	4.32%	State Savings Bank	Maximum rate lock, long-term savings

In the current rate environment, 6-month CDs often offer rates very close to 12-month CDs. This makes them attractive for savers who want competitive returns without committing their money for a full year.

6-Month CD vs High-Yield Savings Account

Both 6-month CDs and HYSAs are safe, FDIC-insured savings options. The trade-off is a fixed rate with a short lock-up (CD) versus a variable rate with full liquidity (HYSA).

Feature	6-Month CD	HYSA
Best Rate	4.30%	4.40%
Rate Type	Fixed (locked in)	Variable (can change anytime)
Liquidity	Locked for 6 months	Withdraw anytime
Early Withdrawal	Penalty (~90 days interest)	No penalty
FDIC Insured	Yes, up to $250,000	Yes, up to $250,000
Best When Rates Are	Falling (locks your rate)	Rising (captures increases)

Bottom line: A 6-month CD makes sense when you want rate certainty for a short period, especially if rate cuts are expected. A HYSA is better if you need instant access to your money or think rates will rise. Many savers use both — a HYSA for emergency funds and a short-term CD for surplus savings. Read our full HYSA vs CD comparison.

When Does a 6-Month CD Make Sense?

A 6-month CD is a strong choice in several common scenarios:

•You are unsure about the rate direction — A 6-month CD gives you a guaranteed rate without committing for a full year. If rates rise, your money frees up quickly to reinvest. If rates fall, you locked in a good rate for the short term.
•You have a known expense in ~6 months — Saving for a vacation, insurance premium, tuition payment, or holiday expenses? A 6-month CD guarantees your return on that specific pile of cash while keeping it out of reach until you need it.
•You want to test CDs before committing longer — If you have never opened a CD before, a 6-month term lets you experience the process without a long lock-up. You will see how the bank handles maturity, renewal, and interest payouts before committing to a multi-year CD.
•You are building a CD ladder — A 6-month CD is an excellent rung in a CD ladder strategy. Shorter rungs give you more frequent access to a portion of your savings while longer rungs capture higher rates.
•The 6-month rate is close to or above the 12-month rate — When the yield curve is flat or inverted, 6-month CDs can pay nearly the same as (or more than) 1-year CDs. In that case, the shorter term is clearly better since you get the same rate with half the lock-up.

How to Choose the Best 6-Month CD

1. Compare APY First

The APY is the most important factor. Even a 0.25% difference on $25,000 is about $31 over 6 months. Online banks and credit unions consistently offer higher rates than large national banks. Do not assume your primary bank has the best rate — it almost certainly does not.

2. Check the Minimum Deposit

Some 6-month CDs require $500 or more to open, while others have no minimum. If you are starting with a smaller amount, filter for low or no minimum options. The rate difference between a $0 minimum CD and a $500 minimum CD is often negligible.

3. Understand the Early Withdrawal Penalty

For 6-month CDs, the early withdrawal penalty is typically 90 days of interest. Since the full term is only 180 days, this penalty eats into a larger share of your total earnings than it would for a longer CD. If there is any chance you will need the money early, a high-yield savings account may be the safer choice.

4. Verify FDIC or NCUA Insurance

Only deposit money at FDIC-insured banks or NCUA-insured credit unions. You can verify any institution at fdic.gov/BankFind. All institutions listed on SafetyYield are federally insured. Learn more about FDIC insurance.

5. Watch the Auto-Renewal Policy

Most banks automatically renew your CD at maturity into a new 6-month term at whatever rate they are currently offering — which may be lower. With a short-term CD, maturity comes quickly. Set a calendar reminder about a week before the maturity date so you can shop around and decide whether to renew, switch institutions, or move into a different term.

Build a CD Ladder With 6-Month CDs

Combine 6-month CDs with longer terms to create a ladder that gives you regular access to your money while earning competitive rates. A 6-month rung matures twice a year, providing frequent liquidity.

CD Ladder Calculator →CD Ladder Strategy Guide

Tips for Getting the Most From a 6-Month CD

Compare the 6-month rate to the 12-month rate before deciding

If the 1-year CD pays significantly more than the 6-month CD and you will not need the money for a year, the longer term may be worth it. But if the rates are close — within 0.10% to 0.15% — the 6-month CD gives you more flexibility for a very small rate sacrifice.

Shop online banks and credit unions

The best 6-month CD rates almost always come from online banks and credit unions, not big national banks like Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo. Those large banks typically offer rates far below the best available. If you want the highest return, look beyond your primary bank.

Set a maturity reminder immediately

Six months goes by fast. Banks typically give a 7 to 14 day grace period after maturity to decide what to do. Miss it and your money auto-renews, potentially at a much lower rate. Set a phone reminder the day you open the CD.

Consider splitting between a CD and HYSA

You do not have to put all your savings into one product. Keep money you might need in a high-yield savings account for full liquidity, and put the portion you can lock away into a 6-month CD for a guaranteed rate. This gives you both flexibility and certainty.

Factor in taxes

CD interest is taxed as ordinary income in the year it is earned or credited. For a 6-month CD, all interest falls within a single tax year. This does not change whether a CD is a good choice, but factor your tax bracket into return comparisons with alternatives like Treasury bills, which are exempt from state tax. Learn more about savings interest taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best 6-month CD rate right now?

The best 6-month CD rate is currently 4.30% APY from Newtek Bank. Rates change frequently, so check our rate tables for the latest numbers. All listed CDs are from FDIC-insured or NCUA-insured institutions.

Is a 6-month CD worth it?

A 6-month CD is worth it if you have money you will not need for half a year and want a guaranteed return with minimal lock-up. It is especially useful when you are uncertain about the interest rate direction, since you are only committing for a short period. If rates rise, your money frees up in just 6 months to reinvest at higher rates.

What happens when my 6-month CD matures?

When your CD matures after 6 months, you can withdraw your principal plus all earned interest penalty-free. Most banks auto-renew into a new 6-month CD at whatever rate is current at that time. Set a calendar reminder a week before maturity so you can compare rates and decide whether to renew, withdraw, or move the money to a different term or institution.

Can I withdraw from a 6-month CD early?

Yes, but you will pay an early withdrawal penalty. For 6-month CDs, this is typically 90 days (3 months) of interest. Since the total term is only 6 months, the penalty represents a larger share of your earnings compared to longer CDs. If you think you may need the money, consider a no-penalty CD or a high-yield savings account instead.

Are 6-month CDs FDIC insured?

Yes. CDs from FDIC-insured banks are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, regardless of the term length. Credit union CDs (called share certificates) carry the equivalent NCUA insurance. All institutions listed on SafetyYield are federally insured.

Should I get a 6-month CD or a 1-year CD?

It depends on your timeline and rate outlook. A 6-month CD gives you faster access to your money and more flexibility to reinvest if rates rise. A 1-year CD (currently up to 4.25%) typically pays a slightly higher rate and locks it in for longer, which is valuable if rates are expected to fall. If you are unsure, a CD ladder that includes both terms gives you the best of both worlds.

How much interest will I earn on a 6-month CD?

At the current top rate of 4.30%, a $10,000 deposit in a 6-month CD would earn approximately $217 in interest. A $25,000 deposit would earn about $542, and $50,000 would earn roughly $1085. Actual earnings depend on compounding frequency.