# NRV: What Net Realizable Value Is and a Formula to Calculate It

> **Definition**
>
> Net realizable value is calculated by subtracting the costs of production and sales from the asset's market value.

## What Is Net Realizable Value (NRV)?

Net realizable value (NRV) is the estimated sale price for an asset after deducting any selling costs. Businesses commonly use NRV as a [valuation method](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/valuation.asp) for their financial reporting or cost accounting.

NRV is used in the United States and internationally under different accounting rules. NRV prevents the overstatement of asset values because it represents their true value, which ensures accurate accounting and reporting.  

### Key Takeaways

*   Net realizable value is the value of an asset if it were sold minus any sales costs.
*   To calculate NRV, deduct the production and selling costs from the asset's market value.
*   NRV is a valuation tool that provides accurate values for [financial reporting](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/06/financialreporting.asp) and cost accounting purposes.
*   Companies use NRV to assess values of inventory and accounts receivable as well as for cost accounting purposes.
*   Although NRV allows for more accurate financial reporting, it

![Net Realizable Value](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/M8C9WdGB5fW7vTVflL3fW75MsX4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NRV-3-2-cd508c8494db4c5fb6367272651e22ab.jpg)

*— Investopedia / Zoe Hansen*

## How Net Realizable Value Works

Net realizable value is an accounting term used by businesses to determine the value of an asset by considering the estimated sale price after deducting production and sales costs. These expenses can include (but aren't limited to) fees, taxes, and shipping. It is the net amount that a company can expect to receive after disposing of an asset.

NRV is a valuation tool that provides businesses with an accurate assessment of their assets. It is used under [generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gaap.asp) in the United States and abroad under [International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/ifrs.asp).

Asset values for accounts receivable (AR) and inventories are commonly calculated using the formula for NRV. These can be found under the current assets section of corporate [balance sheets](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/balancesheet.asp). It can also be used for cost accounting purposes, which helps management teams make more informed decisions about corporate finances.  

> **Fast Fact**
>
> You can find information about companies' treatment of net realizable value with respect to their assets on their annual reports.

## Formula and Calculation of Net Realizable Value

The formula to determine NRV is:

> NRV = Expected Selling Price - Total Production and Selling Costs

The expected selling price is the asset's [market value](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marketvalue.asp) or the price at which the asset can be sold at any time. For instance, if a company has inventory worth $20,000 and the total production and selling costs amount to $1,500, the NRV is $18,500.  

## How Net Realizable Value Is Used

As noted above, NRV is commonly used in corporate accounting to determine asset values and for cost accounting purposes to help companies make smart decisions about their finances. Let's take a closer look at how it is used.

### Asset Values

Businesses can use NRV to determine the value of current assets, including their AR and inventory management.

*   **Accounts Receivable:** Companies can determine the NRV of unpaid invoices from their customers by adding them all up and subtracting any bad accounts. For instance, if a company has $50,000 worth of AR and $15,000 is from [uncollectable accounts](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/accounts-uncollectible.asp), the NRV is $35,000.
*   **Inventory Management:** The same principle applies as above. The estimated value of the inventory is calculated after subtracting the costs associated with selling the goods. This is especially useful when determining the value of any inventory that is spoiled, damaged, or has been sitting on the shelves for long periods.  
    

Calculating the NRV helps companies avoid overestimating the cost of these current assets. As such, it provides an accurate picture of their financial standing for key [stakeholders](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/stakeholder.asp), including investors and management.  

### Cost Accounting

Cost accounting assigns costs to all of a company's business activities. It is a way for them to record and analyze their cost structures. Cost accounting can be used to help businesses make improvements, find efficiencies, and make better decisions.

Companies can use NRV in the shared production processes of their products. This is the process in which many goods are produced using a common [input](https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/032715/what-inputs-are-considered-be-factors-production.asp). It works by allocating joint costs to each product up to the point where they split off. Management can easily calculate the total cost of each product and assign a sale price individually.  

## Advantages and Disadvantages of Net Realizable Value

Pros

*   Accurate financial reporting
    
*   Financial compliance
    
*   Better decision-making power
    

Cons

*   Complex reporting method  
    
*   Require consistent updating
    
*   Relies on estimates  
    

### Advantages Explained

*   **Accurate Financial Reporting:** Using the net realizable value is a conservative way to assess asset values, preventing them from overestimating. This gives all stakeholders an accurate representation of a company's financial standing—notably, its current assets.
*   **Financial Compliance:** NRV falls under GAAP, which American companies must follow in their financial reporting. It is a [regulatory requirement](https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/030315/what-impact-does-government-regulation-have-financial-services-sector.asp) for public companies to use NRV in their financial statements.
*   **Better Decision-Making:** Management can use this accounting method to help them make better decisions about the direction of the business, how they price their products, and where they can make improvements.

### Disadvantages Explained

*   **Complex Reporting Method:** Economic volatility and market value fluctuations can complicate calculating NRVs. Instead of reporting an item's gross amount, companies usually need to make ongoing adjustments to report the net amount.
*   **Require Consistent Updating:** Because prices change due to [market fluctuations](https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100314/what-are-key-factors-cause-market-go-and-down.asp), companies may need to adjust their NRVs. This can be costly and time-consuming.  
    
*   **Relies on Estimates:** The value reported may not necessarily indicate the true future value of an asset because it is based on estimates. Because there is uncertainty in the future, it's not guaranteed an NRV will materialize.  
    

## Example of Net Realizable Value

Companies disclose how their valuation methods for assets, including inventory, in their [Form 10-K](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/1/10-k.asp). The image below is from Nike's ([NKE](https://www.investopedia.com/markets/quote?tvwidgetsymbol=NKE)) 2024 annual report. As per the report, the company estimates the NRV for its inventory based on how it sees future demand taking shape. The company stated that reserves would increase if changes in the market would lead to a drop in its NRV.  

![NIKE Annual Report 2024](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/V6XaX3MKY23Pk0-i6vUZZh-hCe0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot2025-03-26at6.04.26PM-6e6de019f4c2470f8ec5f4662f474b93.png)

**

## The Bottom Line

Net realizable value is a valuation method used in accounting as per generally accepted accounting principles. It represents how much a company would get if it sold an asset after accounting for the costs associated with production and sales. Companies must be transparent about how they value their assets using NRV—information you can find their [annual reports](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/annualreport.asp).  

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  PWC. "[1.3 Inventory Costing](https://viewpoint.pwc.com/dt/us/en/pwc/accounting_guides/inventory/Inventory-Guide/Chapter-1-Inventory-costing/1_3_Cost.html)."
>     
> 2.  Nike. "[2024 Form 10-K](https://s1.q4cdn.com/806093406/files/doc_financials/2024/ar/427857-1-_7_Nike-2024-Combo_Form-10-K_WR.pdf)." Page 49.