How is the future value estimated?

The initial amount and each contribution grow at the expected annual return, compounded at the contribution frequency, and are added together.

Are these returns guaranteed?

No. The calculator assumes a constant return for illustration. Actual investment returns change over time and can be negative.

What is the difference between contributions and growth?

Contributions are the total amount you put in, while growth is the extra value earned on top of those contributions.

Finance Calculators

Investment Calculator

Estimate the future value of an investment with regular contributions.

Free browser toolRuns in your browserNo sign-up

Initial investmentCurrencyRegular contributionContribution frequencyAnnual return rate (%)Investment period (years)

Future value

$113,669.42

$70,000.00

Total contributions

$43,669.42

Estimated growth

Projected value composition

Money invested $70,000.00Estimated growth $43,669.42

This estimate assumes a constant annual return, contributions made every period, and growth compounded at the contribution frequency. Actual returns vary and are not guaranteed.

Investment growth calculation

The estimate combines the compounded future value of your starting amount with the future value of each regular contribution.

FV = P(1 + i)^N + C x ((1 + i)^N - 1) / i

P: Initial investment
C: Contribution each period
i, N: Return per period and number of periods

Worked example

$10,000 plus $500 monthly at 7% for 10 years grows to about $106,639, based on a constant return.

Practical tips

Test conservative returns
Compare several rates instead of treating one optimistic forecast as certain.
Time matters
Starting earlier gives contributions more periods to compound.

About the Investment Calculator

The Investment Calculator estimates what an investment could be worth after a number of years, combining an initial amount with regular contributions.

It compounds growth at the contribution frequency using your expected annual return, then separates the total you put in from the growth earned on top.

This is an estimate based on a constant return rate. Real investment returns vary and are never guaranteed, and all calculations stay in your browser.

Key features

Future value with regular contributions
Monthly, quarterly or annual contributions
Separates contributions from growth
Annual projection with CSV and PDF options
Locale-aware currency formatting

How to use

1Enter the initial investment and choose a currency.
2Enter the regular contribution and its frequency.
3Enter the expected annual return and the number of years.
4Read the future value, total contributions and estimated growth.
5Open the annual projection to inspect, download or print the year-by-year estimate.

Examples

Monthly investing

Input: USD 10,000 initial, USD 500 monthly, 7% for 10 years

Output: About USD 106,639.02 future value

USD 70,000 is contributed and about USD 36,639.02 is estimated growth under a constant return.

Frequently asked questions

How is the future value estimated?: The initial amount and each contribution grow at the expected annual return, compounded at the contribution frequency, and are added together.
Are these returns guaranteed?: No. The calculator assumes a constant return for illustration. Actual investment returns change over time and can be negative.
What is the difference between contributions and growth?: Contributions are the total amount you put in, while growth is the extra value earned on top of those contributions.

Open a related tool to prepare your files or refine the finished result.