Compound growth calculator

This projects a balance from a starting amount and a contribution you add on a monthly or yearly schedule. The return you type stays constant. It is an assumption, not a forecast. The compound growth guide uses the same example.

Future value = starting balance × (1 + periodic rate)^periods + contribution × ((1 + periodic rate)^periods − 1) ÷ periodic rate

Future value

Enter a starting balance, contribution, annual return, and years.

How to project compound growth

Enter the starting balance and contribution. The contribution is the amount added at the end of each month or year. A contribution of zero projects a lump sum only.
Enter the annual return and years. The return compounds on the same schedule as the contributions. Monthly contributions use a monthly rate equal to the annual return divided by 12.
Read nominal growth and the inflation-adjusted balance. Growth is the ending balance minus every dollar you added. Leave inflation blank to treat it as zero.

Frequently asked questions

How does this compound growth calculator work?: It grows the starting balance at the periodic rate, then adds each contribution at the end of the period and grows that contribution for the periods that remain. $10,000 plus $500 a month at 10% a year, compounded monthly for 20 years, finishes near $452,965. About $130,000 of that is money you added.
What does the inflation-adjusted figure mean?: It restates the ending balance in today's dollars using the inflation rate you type. A 2% inflation rate does not change the nominal balance. It shows how much purchasing power that balance implies if inflation stays at 2%.
Is this investment advice?: No. The calculator is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. The return you type is an assumption, not a forecast.

Related guides

How to project compound growth

Enter the starting balance and contribution. The contribution is the amount added at the end of each month or year. A contribution of zero projects a lump sum only.

Enter the annual return and years. The return compounds on the same schedule as the contributions. Monthly contributions use a monthly rate equal to the annual return divided by 12.

Read nominal growth and the inflation-adjusted balance. Growth is the ending balance minus every dollar you added. Leave inflation blank to treat it as zero.

Frequently asked questions

How does this compound growth calculator work?

It grows the starting balance at the periodic rate, then adds each contribution at the end of the period and grows that contribution for the periods that remain. $10,000 plus $500 a month at 10% a year, compounded monthly for 20 years, finishes near $452,965. About $130,000 of that is money you added.

What does the inflation-adjusted figure mean?

It restates the ending balance in today's dollars using the inflation rate you type. A 2% inflation rate does not change the nominal balance. It shows how much purchasing power that balance implies if inflation stays at 2%.

Is this investment advice?

No. The calculator is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. The return you type is an assumption, not a forecast.

Future value

How to project compound growth

Frequently asked questions

Related tools

Related guides

Future value

How to project compound growth

Frequently asked questions

Related tools

Related guides