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T Dividend Calculator: Project AT&T Dividend Income

AT&T is one of the most widely held dividend stocks in the U.S., offering a yield well above the market average from its wireless and fiber businesses. The high yield is the feature most income investors come for.

That yield comes with context: AT&T cut its dividend in 2022 after spinning off Warner Bros. Discovery, a reminder that telecom payouts are not risk-free. The current payout is supported by subscription-like wireless cash flow but carries substantial debt.

Use this calculator to model AT&T income with or without reinvestment, and to see how much capital a monthly target actually requires.

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Data as of September 27, 2026 · Sources: Yahoo Finance and company filings.

Share price
$25.38
Dividend yield (TTM)
4.37%
TTM dividend / share
$1.12
Distribution frequency
Quarterly
Payout ratio
37%
Market cap
$173.9B
How much T do you need for your income goal?

Capital required at the current 4.37% yield, before taxes and before accounting for future dividend growth or reinvestment.

Monthly incomeAnnual incomeCapital requiredApprox. shares
$500/month$6.0K$137.3K5,410
$1,000/month$12.0K$274.6K10,820
$2,000/month$24.0K$549.2K21,640
$3,000/month$36.0K$823.8K32,459
$5,000/month$60.0K$1.4M54,098
$10,000/month$120.0K$2.7M108,196

Estimates only. Yield, share price, and distributions change over time. Use the full calculator to model monthly contributions, dividend growth, taxes, and reinvestment.

How long to reach your T income goal?

Years until projected dividend income first reaches each target, starting from zero with every distribution reinvested. Assumes today's 4.37% yield and dividend growth consistent with the fund's record; taxes and withdrawals are excluded.

Monthly contribution$500/month$1,000/month$2,000/month$5,000/month
$250/month60+60+60+60+
$500/month60+60+60+60+
$1,000/month16 yr60+60+60+

Projections assume a constant yield, dividend growth consistent with the holding's recent record, no price changes beyond its recent trend, and full reinvestment. Actual results will differ. Dividend income is shown before taxes.

Who T is for
  • Investors chasing above-average current income from an established business
  • Income portfolios that already hold lower-yield dividend growth names
  • Investors comfortable analyzing debt levels and payout sustainability
  • Taxable accounts where qualified dividends are more efficient
Trade-offs to understand
  • The dividend was cut in 2022 — the payout is not guaranteed
  • Heavy debt load makes the dividend sensitive to interest rates
  • Capital-intensive network spending competes with the payout

About AT&T Inc.

AT&T Inc. provides telecommunications and technology services worldwide. It operates through two segments, Communications and Latin America. The Communications segment offers wireless voice and data communications services; and sells handsets, wireless data cards, wireless computing devices, carrying cases/protective covers, and wireless chargers through its own company-owned stores, agents, and third-party retail stores. It also provides AT&T Dedicated Internet, fiber ethernet and broadband, fixed wireless, and hosted and managed professional services; and copper-based voice and data, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), wholesale, outsourcing, and IP, as well as customer premises equipment for multinational corporations, small and mid-sized businesses, governmental, and wholesale customers. In addition, this segment offers broadband services, including fiber connections, legacy telephony voice communication services, and other VoIP services and equipment to residential customers. This segment markets its communications services and products under the AT&T, AT&T Business, Cricket, AT&T PREPAID, AT&T Fiber, and AT&T Internet Air brand names. Its Latin America segment provides postpaid and prepaid wireless services in Mexico under the AT&T and Unefon brand names, as well as sells smartphones through its stores, agents and third-party retail stores. The company was formerly known as SBC Communications Inc. and changed its name to AT&T Inc. in 2005. AT&T Inc. was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

T key facts
MetricValue
CompanyAT&T Inc.
SectorCommunication Services
IndustryTelecom Services
TickerT
Share price$25.38
Dividend yield (TTM)4.37%
Annual dividend / share$1.11
TTM distributions / share$1.12
Payout ratio37%
Distribution frequencyQuarterly
Market cap$173.9B

Figures are the latest available and change with price and company reporting. The payout ratio is omitted when reported earnings distort it above 120% — common for REITs and companies with large one-off charges. Historical performance is not a forecast.

T dividend history and payout schedule
TTM / share
$1.12
Yield (TTM)
4.37%
Annual growth
-8.5%
Pays in
January, April, July, October
Payment datePer share
July 10, 2026$0.28
April 10, 2026$0.28
January 12, 2026$0.28
October 10, 2025$0.28
July 10, 2025$0.28
April 10, 2025$0.28
January 10, 2025$0.28
October 10, 2024$0.28

Annual growth compares the latest twelve months of distributions with the twelve months ending four years earlier and is not a forecast. Past distributions can be reduced or suspended.

T frequently asked questions

T yields about 4.37% per year on a trailing basis at $25.38 per share. The yield is well above the broad market because AT&T distributes a large share of its cash flow to shareholders.

At a 4.37% yield, $12,000 per year requires roughly $274.6K, or about 10,820 shares at $25.38. Because the yield is high, AT&T needs less capital per dollar of income than most dividend stocks — that is the trade for accepting the risks.

AT&T distributes quarterly, recently in January, April, July, October. The trailing twelve-month distribution totals about $1.12 per share. Most brokers can reinvest payments automatically.

AT&T cut its dividend in 2022 following the Warner Bros. Discovery spin-off, so the current payout should not be treated as untouchable. Wireless and fiber subscriptions provide steady cash flow, but the company carries significant debt that competes with dividends for cash.

Comparing the latest twelve months of distributions with the twelve months ending four years earlier, AT&T's per-share payout has changed by roughly -8.5% per year. The 2022 reduction is part of that history — high yield and dividend growth do not always travel together.

AT&T's distributions are generally qualified dividends, taxed at long-term capital gains rates in taxable accounts. Holding T in an IRA or Roth removes the annual tax drag. Confirm your own situation with a tax professional.

Starting from zero, $500 a month does not reach $1,000 in monthly dividend income within 60 years at T's current yield and dividend growth assumptions. A larger contribution, a higher-yielding holding, or a longer horizon would be needed — model your own assumptions in the calculator above.
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Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. Data is sourced from Yahoo Finance and company filings and may be delayed or contain errors. Dividends are not guaranteed and can be reduced or suspended. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified advisor before making investment decisions.