Best 6-month CD rates for 2026
The top 6-month CD we track right now pays 4.30% APY at Quorum Federal Credit Union. Six-month CDs are the short end of the market — you lock a fixed rate for half a year, then decide again. Every account below is FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution.
6-month CD rate table
Quorum Federal Credit Union
CD
APY
4.30%
Min. deposit
$100
Term
6 mo
Happen Bank
CD
APY
4.20%
Min. deposit
$500
Term
6 mo
E*TRADE
CD
APY
4.20%
Min. deposit
$500
Term
6 mo
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
High-Yield CD — early withdrawal penalty applies
APY
3.95%
Min. deposit
$500
Term
6 mo
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State Bank of India (California)
CD
APY
3.85%
Min. deposit
$1,000
Term
6 mo
Integro Bank
CD
APY
3.75%
Min. deposit
$100,000
Term
6 mo
Community Savings
CD
APY
3.75%
Min. deposit
$1,000
Term
6 mo
Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union
CD
APY
3.70%
Min. deposit
$500
Term
6 mo
American Bank of Freedom
6 Mo Special
APY
3.65%
Min. deposit
$1,000
Term
6 mo
Alliant Credit Union
6 Mo Insured by NCUA
APY
3.60%
Min. deposit
$1,000
Term
6 mo
Flagler Credit Union
6 Mo Insured by NCUA
APY
3.55%
Min. deposit
$100,000
Term
6 mo
Seattle Bank
CD
APY
3.50%
Min. deposit
$1,000
Term
6 mo
Barclays
CD
APY
3.50%
Min. deposit
$0
Term
6 mo
Dort Financial Credit Union
CD
APY
3.50%
Min. deposit
$100,000
Term
6 mo
Municipal Credit Union
CD
APY
3.30%
Min. deposit
$500
Term
6 mo
Old Dominion National Bank
CD
APY
3.25%
Min. deposit
$500
Term
6 mo
APYs are gathered from bank and rate-aggregator listings and may differ from the rate you are offered. Always confirm with the institution before opening an account.
Is a 6-month CD the right choice?
A 6-month CD suits money you know you won't need until roughly half a year from now — a tax bill, a planned purchase, or cash you want fenced off from everyday spending. Because the term is short, the rate premium over a high-yield savings account is usually small, so the real trade-off is certainty versus flexibility: the CD rate cannot fall during the term, but you also cannot withdraw without a penalty.
If you want the money reachable at any time, compare high-yield savings accounts instead. If you can commit for a full year, the 12-month CD table usually pays more.
Frequently asked questions
How much interest does a 6-month CD actually pay?+
On $10,000 at 4.00% APY you earn roughly $198 over six months, because the quoted APY is an annual figure and you only hold the CD for half a year. Doubling the deposit doubles the interest; the rate itself does not change with balance at most banks.
What happens when a 6-month CD matures?+
Most banks give you a grace period of 7 to 10 days to withdraw the money or move it. If you do nothing, the CD usually renews automatically at the bank's current rate for the same term — which can be well below what you originally locked in.
Can I withdraw early from a 6-month CD?+
Yes, but you pay an early-withdrawal penalty, commonly around 90 days of interest on a short-term CD. That can wipe out most of your earnings, so only commit money you are confident you can leave alone. No-penalty CDs are an alternative if you need an exit.
Are 6-month CDs safe?+
Deposits at an FDIC-insured bank are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category. Credit union equivalents carry the same coverage through the NCUA.