Bogleheads 3-Fund Portfolio Calculator
Pre-Configured for VTI (60%), VXUS (20%) & BND (20%)
Eliminate asset allocation drift across your core US equities, international stocks, and fixed-income bonds. Calculate exact dollar trade orders or rebalance tax-free using cash deposits without selling appreciated assets.
⚡ Fast Portfolio Presets1-Click
Click any benchmark preset below to test a model portfolio, or start typing your own assets below.
Current Portfolio Holdings
Input your asset symbols, current total values, and desired target percentages.
| Asset / Ticker | Current Value | Target % | Price / Share (Opt) | Current % | Drift Status |
|---|
Allocation Breakdown
Allocation Drift & Rebalance Threshold
Vanguard 5/25 Rule Guide📋 Exact Trade OrdersReady to copy into your brokerage account
Execute the trade orders below to bring your portfolio back into equilibrium.
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What is the Bogleheads 3-Fund Portfolio?
Rather than paying high management fees to financial advisors or robo-advisors who take 0.25% to 1.00% of your assets annually, the 3-Fund Portfolio gives you complete market exposure at an aggregate expense ratio under 0.05%.
Standard 3-Fund Portfolio Asset Allocations by Life Stage
Compare the standard asset allocations recommended across the Bogleheads forum based on your investment horizon and risk tolerance:
| Life Stage / Profile | US Equities (VTI) | International (VXUS) | Total Bonds (BND) | Expected Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggressive Growth (20s–30s) | 70% | 20% | 10% | High (Max Growth) |
| Standard Accumulator (30s–40s) | 60% | 20% | 20% | Moderate-High |
| Pre-Retirement (50s) | 50% | 20% | 30% | Balanced |
| Post-Retirement / Preservation | 40% | 15% | 45% | Low (Capital Preservation) |
Brokerage Ticker Equivalents (Vanguard, Fidelity & Charles Schwab)
You don't need a Vanguard account to run the 3-Fund strategy. You can execute this identical portfolio at Fidelity or Schwab with zero commissions:
VanguardETFs / Funds
- • US Stock: VTI (VTSAX)
- • Int'l Stock: VXUS (VTIAX)
- • Total Bonds: BND (VBTLX)
Fidelity0% Expense Ratio
- • US Stock: FZROX (ITOT)
- • Int'l Stock: FZILX (IXUS)
- • Total Bonds: FXNAX (AGG)
Charles SchwabIndex Mutual Funds
- • US Stock: SWTSX (SCHB)
- • Int'l Stock: SWISX (SCHF)
- • Total Bonds: SWAGX (SCHZ)
Frequently Asked Questions About the 3-Fund Portfolio
What is the Bogleheads 3-Fund Portfolio?▼
The Bogleheads 3-Fund Portfolio is an evidence-based passive investing strategy pioneered by Vanguard founder Jack Bogle. It achieves global market diversification using only three ultra-low-cost index funds: 1) Total US Stock Market (VTI or VTSAX), 2) Total International Stock Market (VXUS or VTIAX), and 3) Total US Bond Market (BND or VBTLX).
What is the standard target allocation for a 3-fund portfolio?▼
A widely utilized allocation for long-term wealth accumulators is 60% US Total Stock Market (VTI), 20% Total International Stock (VXUS), and 20% Total Bond Market (BND). Younger investors with higher risk tolerances often adopt 70% US / 20% International / 10% Bonds or 80/20/0, while retirees often shift toward 40% US / 20% International / 40% Bonds.
How do you rebalance a 3-fund portfolio without paying capital gains tax?▼
In taxable brokerage accounts, the most tax-efficient method is 'Buy-Only Rebalancing' (cash injection). Instead of selling appreciated US or international stocks—which triggers taxable capital gains—you direct fresh monthly savings, dividends, or paycheck contributions exclusively toward whichever of the three funds is currently underweight.
How often should I rebalance my 3-fund portfolio?▼
Empirical studies from Vanguard and Bogleheads research recommend either an annual review (e.g., every December or tax season) or a tolerance-band threshold (Vanguard's 5/25 rule). Under the 5/25 rule, you only rebalance when an asset drifts by more than 5% absolute (e.g. from 60% to 65%) or 25% relative to its target.
Can I use mutual funds instead of ETFs in this calculator?▼
Yes. The mathematical allocation and rebalancing orders apply identically whether you hold Vanguard ETFs (VTI, VXUS, BND), Vanguard Mutual Funds (VTSAX, VTIAX, VBTLX), Fidelity Zero-Expense Index Funds (FZROX, FZILX, FXNAX), or Schwab Index Funds (SWTSX, SWISX, SWAGX).