6-Month CDs

Best 6-Month CD Rates

Six-month CDs are a popular middle ground: long enough to earn a meaningful return, short enough that you get your money back twice a year. Right now they pay close to what longer CDs offer. The top widely available listing in our table pays 4.40% APY.

Display date Oct 29, 2026 · By the CompareCDRate editorial team · About our dates · How we verify rates

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9 CD listings shown.

CD listings with APY, term, minimum deposit, early withdrawal terms and source date
Listing	APY	Term	Min. deposit	Early withdrawal	Display date ?	Actions
Credit unionListing #GVTS9 · details on inquiryCredit union · NCUA	4.40%	6 months	$100	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing GVTS9, 4.40% 6 monthsCompare listing GVTS9
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Membership required Insurance Federally insured by the NCUA (credit union share insurance) Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #96QQP · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.40%	6 months	$500	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing 96QQP, 4.40% 6 monthsCompare listing 96QQP
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #G8XVC · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.40%	6 months	$500	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing G8XVC, 4.40% 6 monthsCompare listing G8XVC
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Brokered CD from an FDIC-insured bankListing #F4MZW · details on inquiryBrokered · FDIC	up to 4.35%	6 months	$1,000	No bank penalty; can be sold on the secondary market, possibly for less than you paid	Oct 29, 2026 Brokerage's published rates	Inquire about this CD for listing F4MZW, 4.35% 6 monthsCompare listing F4MZW
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Brokerage account required Note Highest yield the brokerage displayed for this term; inventory may include callable CDs. Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source Brokerage's published rates Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #QQRS2 · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.35%	6 months	$10,000	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing QQRS2, 4.35% 6 monthsCompare listing QQRS2
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Credit unionListing #WEWKU · details on inquiryCredit union · NCUA	4.30%	6 months	$1,000	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 Rate comparison publisher	Inquire about this CD for listing WEWKU, 4.30% 6 monthsCompare listing WEWKU
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Membership required Insurance Federally insured by the NCUA (credit union share insurance) Rate source Rate comparison publisher Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #W5PVY · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.25%	6 months	$1,000	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 Rate comparison publisher	Inquire about this CD for listing W5PVY, 4.25% 6 monthsCompare listing W5PVY
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source Rate comparison publisher Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #63V3T · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.20%	6 months	No minimum	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing 63V3T, 4.20% 6 monthsCompare listing 63V3T
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
FDIC-insured bankListing #R899Z · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.20%	6 months	$1,000	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing R899Z, 4.20% 6 monthsCompare listing R899Z
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)

APY = annual percentage yield. Institution names are not published on this site; after you inquire, we share the details with you directly. The display date is today’s date in U.S. Eastern Time; it is not the date a rate was verified. We review listings regularly (last review: Oct 29, 2026) and keep a dated source record for every listing. Rates change often and may differ by region or deposit amount; confirm the current APY, minimum and early withdrawal terms with the institution before opening an account. "Up to" means the highest yield a brokerage displayed for that term. Rate methodology · How we make money · Important disclosures

Is a 6-month CD right for you?

Good fit if…

You have a goal 6 months out, such as a down payment or tuition
You want a higher fixed rate than savings without a long lock-up
You plan to roll the CD into a ladder later

Watch out for…

You earn about half the APY over the term
If rates fall, you’ll renew at a lower rate in six months
Some top rates require $10,000 or more to open

What $10,000 could earn

Put $10,000 in the top widely available listing at 4.40% APY for 6 months and you’d earn about $217.63. These estimates assume the APY applies for the full term and interest stays in the CD. Try your own numbers in the CD calculator.

How to choose a 6-month CD

Confirm the maturity date lines up with when you’ll need the money.
Check the minimum deposit and any membership requirement.
Read the early withdrawal penalty so you know the cost if plans change.
Keep within insurance limits — $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category.
Verify the live rate on the institution’s site before you apply.

6-Month CD FAQs

What will $10,000 earn in a 6-month CD?

At 4.40% APY, about $218 by maturity, assuming the interest stays in the CD. Use our CD calculator to try other amounts and rates.

Are 6-month CD rates higher than 1-year rates?

Sometimes. When the market expects rates to fall, banks may pay as much or more on short terms. Compare the current tables on this page and the 1-year page before you decide.

What’s the typical early withdrawal penalty on a 6-month CD?

Many banks charge around 90 days of interest on terms of a year or less, but policies vary widely. Always read the institution’s disclosure before opening.

Want help choosing a 6-month CD?

Tell us your term, deposit and timing. We’ll point you to CD options that fit, at no cost.

Compare CD options Free to use. Availability and eligibility vary by institution.