Investment Calculator
Project how an investment could grow with regular contributions and an assumed return.
An investment calculator projects future value from a starting balance, regular contributions, an assumed annual return, and time. $10,000 plus $500 a month at a 7% return for 20 years projects to roughly $299,000, of which about $169,000 is growth. Returns are an assumption, not a guarantee — markets vary year to year. Enter your figures to see the projection.
These results are estimates for informational purposes only and are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Your actual figures from a lender or the IRS may differ. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions.
Future value after 20 years
$300,850.72
What you put in vs. interest earned
Balance by year
| Year | You put in | Interest | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $16,000 | $919 | $16,919 |
| 2 | $22,000 | $2,339 | $24,339 |
| 3 | $28,000 | $4,294 | $32,294 |
| 4 | $34,000 | $6,825 | $40,825 |
| 5 | $40,000 | $9,973 | $49,973 |
| 6 | $46,000 | $13,782 | $59,782 |
| 7 | $52,000 | $18,299 | $70,299 |
| 8 | $58,000 | $23,578 | $81,578 |
| 9 | $64,000 | $29,671 | $93,671 |
| 10 | $70,000 | $36,639 | $106,639 |
| 11 | $76,000 | $44,544 | $120,544 |
| 12 | $82,000 | $53,455 | $135,455 |
| 13 | $88,000 | $63,443 | $151,443 |
| 14 | $94,000 | $74,587 | $168,587 |
| 15 | $100,000 | $86,971 | $186,971 |
| 16 | $106,000 | $100,683 | $206,683 |
| 17 | $112,000 | $115,820 | $227,820 |
| 18 | $118,000 | $132,486 | $250,486 |
| 19 | $124,000 | $150,790 | $274,790 |
| 20 | $130,000 | $170,851 | $300,851 |
About the Investment Calculator
This calculator projects how an investment might grow by compounding an assumed annual return over time, with any regular contributions added along the way. The critical word is assumed: unlike a savings rate, an investment return is not fixed or promised. A common planning figure for a diversified stock portfolio is somewhere near 7% after inflation, based on long-run history, but any single year can be sharply positive or negative, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Two forces do the heavy lifting. Contributions matter enormously in the early years because they make up most of the balance, while compounding takes over later as growth outpaces what you add. Costs quietly work against you: an expense ratio or advisory fee of even 1% a year compounds against your balance the same way returns compound for you, so it can cost tens of thousands over a few decades. Treat the result as a smooth illustration of a bumpy reality — useful for comparing scenarios, not a forecast of any actual account.
Frequently asked questions
What return should I assume?+
There is no correct number. Many people model a diversified stock portfolio at roughly 6–7% after inflation, based on long-run averages, and lower for bond-heavy mixes. Run a conservative and an optimistic figure to see the range.
Is this projection guaranteed?+
No. It compounds a single assumed return smoothly, but real markets swing year to year and can lose money over long stretches. Treat it as an illustration for comparing scenarios, not a promise.
How much do fees affect the result?+
A lot, over time. A 1% annual fee compounds against your balance just as returns compound for you, and over 20–30 years it can reduce the final amount by tens of thousands of dollars.
Why do early contributions matter more?+
Because they have the most time to compound. A dollar invested at the start of a 30-year horizon grows far longer than one added near the end, so consistent early contributions do the most work.