All key Level I formulas in one place 2026 & 2027

CFA® Level I Formula Sheet — every formula, ready for recall.

The CFA exam gives you no formula sheet — you recall everything from memory. This curriculum-aligned quick reference keeps all key formulas in one place for fast, daily review.

  • All key Level I formulas across 10 topics, organized by reading
  • Updated for the 2026 & 2027 curriculum
  • Tuned for daily review on screen or as a printed PDF
  • Free sample PDF to preview the structure and notation

For study and revision only. The live CFA exam is not open-book — candidates may not bring formula sheets into the test center.

39$ one-time

Choose your exam year

New
Next Level I exam
days to prepare
Get 2026 Formula Sheet — $39
$39 to de-risk formula day: a single exam reschedule costs $250, and a retake over $1,000. This is the cheapest insurance in your whole study plan.
Instant PDF download after checkout Curated & reviewed by CFA charterholders Optimized for screen and home printing
Reviewed by CFA charterholders All 10 topics, organized by reading Updated for 2026 & 2027 Built for fast daily review
Why it matters

Why a dedicated formula sheet matters

Candidates search for a formula sheet, cheat sheet, or equation sheet in the final weeks for three good reasons.

Heavy formula load

Quant, Fixed Income, Derivatives, and Portfolio Management rely on multi-step formulas. Pulling them from scattered notes the week before is slow and stressful.

No sheet in the exam

You must memorize formulas and know when to apply them. A structured sheet for study time is critical to move fast on exam day without second-guessing notation.

High return on revision

One well-organized reference lets you run multiple high-yield formula passes in the final weeks — far more efficient than re-reading whole chapters.

See inside

This is what the formula sheet looks like

Clean notation, grouped by topic and Learning Module, with the variable definitions and hints you need for fast recognition.

Sample page from the CFA Level I formula sheet showing Quantitative Methods formulas including holding period return, geometric mean, money-weighted return and continuously compounded return
Actual sample — Quantitative Methods, Learning Module 1. Every topic is laid out this way.
Get the full sheet — choose your year Download free sample PDF
What's inside

Built for fast, confident recall

Topic-by-topic structure

Grouped by topic and Learning Module with clear headings:

  • Quantitative Methods (TVM, statistics, probability, regression)
  • Financial Statement Analysis (ratios, tax, inventory, leases)
  • Equity, Fixed Income, Derivatives, Alternatives
  • Corporate Issuers & Portfolio Management

Clean notation & hints

Consistent symbols with short reminders of:

  • What each variable represents
  • Where the formula is used (NPV, duration, beta)
  • Common pitfalls (nominal vs effective rate)

Optimized for PDF & print

Layout and font sizes tuned so you can:

  • Use it on a tablet or laptop without constant zooming
  • Print at home and keep a compact set near your desk
  • Highlight and annotate as you solve questions
Fits any study plan

How to use it effectively

Whether you use the official curriculum, another provider, or your own notes, the sheet slots right in.

  • During learning: keep the topic pages open while you read to reinforce notation in context.
  • During practice: use it as a quick check, then wean off as formulas become automatic.
  • Final month: run fast formula passes several times a week on the ones you still hesitate on.
  • Final days: make it your main revision tool instead of reopening hundreds of pages.
Choose 2026 or 2027 — $39
CFA Level I formula sheet pages in use
Is it right for you?

Built for the way you study

The formula sheet is a fast, daily recall tool that works with any study plan. Here's who gets the most out of it.

Perfect for you if…

  • You struggle to memorize formulas and keep them straight under pressure
  • You want every key formula in one consistent, organized place
  • You're in the final weeks and need fast, repeated formula passes
  • You use the official curriculum or another provider but lack a clean formula reference
  • You want something you can print and keep right by your desk

Good to know

  • It's a study and revision tool — the live exam is not open-book
  • It's a quick reference, not a full explanation of every derivation
  • Not sure it fits? Download the free sample PDF first and see the notation
  • Available for both the 2026 and 2027 exams — pick your year at checkout
Even better with practice

Pair formulas with exam-style questions

The formula sheet is most powerful alongside practice. Once you're comfortable with the formulas, consider:

  • The FinQuiz Question Bank for thousands of Level I practice questions
  • The Practice Plus package — Question Bank, six mock exams, and the formula sheet together

Many candidates start with the standalone sheet and upgrade later when ready for high-volume practice.

What candidates say

Real feedback from CFA candidates

★★★★★

Thanks a lot! I used it for L2 and it was nice.

R
CFA candidate
via Reddit r/CFA
★★★★★

I would recommend FinQuiz for its smart summaries, curriculum notes and formula sheet.

C
CFA charterholder
via candidate feedback
Good to know

Formula sheet — FAQs

Is this formula sheet updated for the 2026 and 2027 curriculum?

Yes. The FinQuiz formula sheet is aligned with the current CFA Level I curriculum and Learning Modules for both the 2026 and 2027 exams. You choose your exam year at checkout, and when the curriculum changes we update the formulas and notation to stay consistent with current readings.

Can I use this formula sheet during the actual CFA exam?

No. The live CFA exam is not open-book, and you may not bring formula sheets, notes, or printed materials into the test. The FinQuiz formula sheet is intended for study and revision only, to help you memorize and practice formulas before exam day.

Do you offer a free CFA Level I formula sheet?

We provide a free sample PDF so you can review the layout, notation, and level of detail before purchasing. The full formula sheet is a paid resource that covers all Level I topics.

How is this different from free formula lists online?

Many free lists are incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent with current curriculum notation. The FinQuiz sheet is:

  • Curated and reviewed by CFA charterholders
  • Organized to mirror the Level I topic structure
  • Designed specifically for efficient daily review

This saves you time and reduces the risk of relying on incorrect or missing formulas.

Is FinQuiz affiliated with CFA Institute?

No. FinQuiz is an independent exam preparation provider. CFA Institute owns the CFA®, Chartered Financial Analyst®, and related trademarks and controls the official curriculum and examinations. Our materials are original prep resources designed to help candidates study; they are not endorsed or reviewed by CFA Institute.

Reduce formula stress before exam day

Swap the chaos of hunting through long notes for one concise, well-structured reference that mirrors the curriculum. Download the free sample, then unlock the full sheet for your exam year.

Choose 2026 or 2027 — $39 Download free sample
CFA Level I Formula Sheet $39 one-time 2026 & 2027 · instant PDF
Choose year & buy