Future Value Calculator
Project what a starting balance plus optional monthly contributions will grow to under compound interest. See the final future value broken into how much you put in versus how much the growth earned.
How to Use
- Enter the present value — the lump sum you start with (enter 0 if you are starting from scratch).
- Enter the monthly payment you plan to add each month (enter 0 for a lump sum only).
- Enter the expected annual rate of return as a percentage.
- Enter the number of years the money will grow.
- Read the future value, plus the split between total invested and interest earned.
Show Work
Formula
About the Future Value Calculator
The Future Value Calculator is a simple, free helper for personal-finance and money decisions that runs entirely on your own device. Project what a starting balance plus optional monthly contributions will grow to under compound interest. See the final future value broken into how much you put in versus how much the growth earned.
How it works
Enter your figures and the result appears instantly, updating the moment you change anything. There is no submit button and nothing to wait for, so it is easy to try a few what-if numbers and compare the results. Just check each box holds the kind of value it expects.
Want the deeper story? The Knowledge Base explains the ideas behind the tools in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is future value?
Future value (FV) is what a sum of money will be worth at a later date once compound growth is applied. It combines a starting lump sum that grows on its own with any recurring contributions that grow from the moment they are added. It answers "if I invest this, what will I have later?"
How does adding monthly contributions change the result?
Each monthly payment starts compounding as soon as it is invested, so early contributions grow far more than later ones. Over long periods, steady contributions usually dwarf the starting lump sum, which is why consistent investing matters more than timing. The calculator shows total invested separately so you can see how much is growth versus your own deposits.
What rate of return should I use?
Use a realistic long-run estimate for the asset. Historically, a diversified stock portfolio has returned roughly 7% after inflation over long horizons, while bonds and savings accounts return much less. Returns are never guaranteed and vary year to year, so model a conservative rate and treat the result as a projection, not a promise.
Does this account for inflation or taxes?
No — it shows nominal future value before inflation and taxes. To see purchasing power in today's dollars, subtract your inflation assumption from the rate of return (e.g. use 4% instead of 7%). Taxes on gains depend on the account type, so tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s will keep more of the growth.
What is the difference between future value and present value?
Future value grows a known amount forward in time to find what it becomes; present value discounts a future amount back to find what it is worth today. They are two sides of the same compound-interest formula. Use future value to project savings goals and present value to compare future payouts in today's terms.
How do I use the Future Value Calculator?
Just type your numbers. The answer shows up right away — there is no button to press. Change anything and it updates by itself.
Does it cost anything or need an account?
No. The tool is completely free, there is no account to create, and it keeps working offline after the page first loads.
Is anything I type uploaded?
No. The tool works entirely on your device, so the values you enter never leave your browser.
Common Use Cases
Projecting a retirement balance
See what a starting balance plus monthly contributions could grow to over decades.
Planning a college fund
Estimate how much a 529 or savings plan will hold by the time a child reaches college age.
Goal-based saving
Test whether your monthly contribution and time horizon will reach a target like a home down payment.
Comparing lump sum vs. contributions
See how a one-time deposit compares to steady monthly investing over the same period.
Understanding compounding
View the split between money invested and interest earned to see how growth accelerates over time.
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