Best 6-month CD rates for March 2025

Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between March 22 and March 28. Bankrate's editorial team validates this information regularly, typically biweekly. APYs may have changed since they were last updated and may vary by region for some products. Bankrate includes only FDIC banks or NCUA credit unions in its listings.

Traditionally, CDs with longer maturities offer higher yields. But in this current rate environment, shorter-term CDs are proving to have the highest yields.

Top six-month CDs generally have APYs close to top savings accounts. Right now, 6-month CDs are edging slightly above one-year CDs and 18-month CDs – to have higher APYs than six-month CDs. Generally, two-year CDs and CDs with longer terms have lower APYs in the current rate environment. 

In addition to a competitive APY, you’ll also want to consider minimum deposit requirements and early withdrawal penalties. 

The advantage of a six-month CD is that you know you’ll be able to access the money in a shorter time frame. Since a CD typically has an early withdrawal penalty, you have to be willing to keep your money in the CD until the end of the term or lose out on some of the interest earnings.

A six-month CD is great for someone who needs to keep money safe – and untouched – for a term of six months, as CDs have early withdrawal penalties that could cost you a good amount of the interest you’re trying to earn if you pull your money out early. Money you put in a CD should be money that you don’t need to access but also money that you can’t afford to lose. You might consider investing some of your money in riskier, higher-yielding investments such as stocks, provided you can afford the risk because such investments can earn much more than an FDIC- or NCUA-insured CD with a guaranteed APY. But you could also lose all of your money in an investment.

For those times when you’re unsure about when you’ll need access to your money, a high-yield savings account at an FDIC-insured bank is likely a smarter place for your money. Just make sure you’re within the FDIC’s guidelines and following the FDIC’s rules.

When considering a six-month CD, compare it to other available accounts to determine when other options might be a better decision. Some alternatives to consider:

• Savings accounts: With a savings account, you won’t face the early withdrawal penalties like you do if you break your six-month CD before it matures. But savings accounts have variable rates so your return isn’t guaranteed like it is with a CD
• Money market accounts: These savings accounts allow you to access your money in ways that you can’t with a CD, including check-writing and ATM withdrawals. But there’s a good chance you’ll get a better yield on a six-month CD than with a money market account.
• Consider a longer-term CD: If guaranteed yields are calling you, you can also consider a slightly longer-term CD, if it works for your savings goals. The longer you keep your money invested, the more interest you’ll earn.

Research methodology

At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is unbiased and not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Bankrate regularly surveys over 100 widely available financial institutions, made up of the biggest banks and credit unions, as well as a number of popular online banks.

To find the best CDs, our editorial team analyzes various factors, such as: annual percentage yield (APY), the minimum needed to earn that APY (or to open the CD) and whether or not it is broadly available. All of the accounts on this page are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund.

When selecting the best CD for you, consider the purpose of the money and when you’ll need access to these funds to help you avoid early withdrawal penalties.