Future Value Calculator
Estimate what your money will grow to with compound interest and regular contributions.
Example
Start with $10,000 at a 6% annual rate, compounded monthly for 10 years, adding $200 each month (end of period).
The lump sum grows to about $18,193.97, and the contributions grow to about $32,775.87, for a projected future value of $50,969.84. You contributed $34,000 total and earned roughly $16,969.84 in interest.
How it works
Enter your present value, the annual rate, the number of years, and an optional recurring payment. It compounds at the chosen frequency and shows your projected future value, total contributions, and interest earned.
Good to know
The Future Value Calculator projects what a starting balance plus regular deposits could grow into over time, combining the compound growth of a one-time lump sum with the accumulated future value of recurring contributions. It is built for savers, retirement planners, and anyone running "what if I keep investing" scenarios who wants a fast estimate without a spreadsheet.
Reach for it when you want to compare savings strategies before committing: testing how an extra $50 a month changes a 10-year outcome, checking how a higher assumed rate shifts the picture, or seeing whether monthly versus annual compounding matters for your situation. Because it runs entirely in your browser and saves nothing, you can plug in real account figures freely.
To read the result, look past the single "projected future value" headline to the three breakdown stats. Starting amount and total contributions together are your own money in (your principal), while interest earned is everything growth added on top. The two bars make this split visual, the gap between them is the compounding effect you are paying for time and rate to produce.
- Starting amount + total contributions = what you put in
- Interest earned = projected gain from compounding
- Projected future value = the sum of all three
One practical caveat: the projection assumes a single, constant rate and identical payments every period, so it is an idealized estimate rather than a forecast. Real returns vary year to year and inflation erodes purchasing power, so treat the figure as today's dollars at a steady rate and rerun it with a more conservative rate to see a downside scenario.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between end and begin payment timing?
End (ordinary annuity) assumes each payment is made at the close of the period, so it earns interest for one fewer period. Begin (annuity due) assumes payments arrive at the start of each period, earning one extra period of interest, which slightly raises the future value.
Why does monthly compounding give a different result than annual?
With monthly compounding the rate is divided into 12 smaller periods and your money compounds more often, so a given annual rate produces a somewhat higher future value than compounding once per year.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No — this calculator runs entirely in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Is this financial advice?
No. These are educational estimates — consult a qualified financial professional before making decisions.
People also ask
What is the formula for future value with regular contributions?
Future value combines two parts: the lump sum grows as PV times (1+r)^n, and the stream of equal payments grows as PMT times ((1+r)^n − 1) / r, where r is the periodic rate and n is the number of periods. The two results are added together for the total.
What is the difference between present value and future value?
Present value is what a sum is worth today, while future value is what it is projected to be worth at a later date after earning interest. Future value grows present value forward in time using a rate and number of periods.
How do I calculate future value for a single lump sum with no deposits?
Set the payment per period to 0 and the calculator returns FV = PV times (1+r)^n. For example, $10,000 at 6% compounded annually for 10 years grows to about $17,908.
Does a higher contribution or a higher rate matter more for future value?
It depends on the time horizon: contributions dominate early because little compounding has occurred, while the rate matters more over long periods as interest compounds on a larger balance. Running both scenarios in the tool shows which lever moves your specific result more.
Should I use a nominal or real rate in a future value calculator?
A nominal rate gives the projected dollar amount, while subtracting expected inflation to use a real rate gives an estimate in today's purchasing power. Using a real rate produces a lower, inflation-adjusted figure.
What annual rate of return should I assume for projections?
There is no single correct number; people often model a range, such as a conservative low rate and a more optimistic higher one, since actual returns vary by asset and over time. This calculator lets you test different rates to see the spread of outcomes.
How does compounding frequency affect the final amount?
More frequent compounding applies interest more often on a smaller per-period rate, so monthly compounding yields a slightly higher future value than annual compounding for the same stated annual rate. The effect grows with longer time horizons and higher rates.
Why is interest earned smaller than my total contributions in some scenarios?
Over shorter periods or with modest rates, your deposits have not had enough time to compound, so the principal you contributed exceeds the interest generated. Interest typically overtakes contributions only over longer horizons as growth accelerates.
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