Investment Calculator
Project how much your investments could be worth in the future. Enter a starting amount, how much you’ll add each month, an expected annual return, and how long you’ll invest, and the calculator shows your final balance, how much of it is growth, and how long it takes to reach a goal.
Two features make the projection more realistic: you can raise your contributions a little each year as your income grows, and you can see the result in today’s dollars after inflation. A side-by-side table shows the same plan at lower and higher returns, because no one knows the future rate.
Calculator
Value in 30 years
$691,150
$284,745 in today’s dollars at 3% inflation
- Total contributed
- $190,000
- Investment growth
- $501,150
- Growth share of final balance
- 73%
- Time to reach $1.0M
- 34y 10m
Growth over time
What if returns are higher or lower?
| Annual return | Final value | Today’s dollars | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $460,807 | $189,846 | $270,807 |
| 7% | $691,150 | $284,745 | $501,150 |
| 9% | $1,062,678 | $437,809 | $872,678 |
Year-by-year table
| Year | Contributed | Growth | 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 |
| 21 | $136,000 | $192,796 | $328,796 |
| 22 | $142,000 | $216,760 | $358,760 |
| 23 | $148,000 | $242,892 | $390,892 |
| 24 | $154,000 | $271,345 | $425,345 |
| 25 | $160,000 | $302,290 | $462,290 |
| 26 | $166,000 | $335,905 | $501,905 |
| 27 | $172,000 | $372,384 | $544,384 |
| 28 | $178,000 | $411,934 | $589,934 |
| 29 | $184,000 | $454,777 | $638,777 |
| 30 | $190,000 | $501,150 | $691,150 |
Returns are compounded monthly at a constant rate; real markets go up and down, and a constant average return doesn’t reflect that order of returns. Ignores taxes and fees. Educational estimate, not investment advice.
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Calculation Formulas
Each month the balance earns one twelfth of the annual return, then the month’s contribution is added (or added first, if you choose start-of-month timing).
Example:
$10,000 at 7%: the first month earns $58.33.
Raising contributions with your pay — even 2% to 3% a year — has a large effect over decades.
Shows the purchasing power of your future balance in current dollars.
Example:
$1,000,000 in 30 years at 3% inflation ≈ $412,000 today.
Key Figures
| Figure | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Compounding | Monthly | Returns are applied each month at one twelfth of the annual rate. |
| Return | Constant | A steady average return; real markets fluctuate. |
Note: Results are estimates for planning purposes. Rates, fees, taxes, and insurance vary by lender and location — confirm exact figures with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Standards & Sources
Last verified: October 2026
- Standard time-value-of-money math
The same future-value formulas used in finance textbooks and spreadsheet FV functions, simulated month by month so contribution timing and step-ups are exact.
- Educational projection
Assumes a constant return and ignores taxes, fees, and the order of returns. It is not a forecast or investment advice.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your starting amount and monthly contribution.
- Enter an expected annual return and the number of years you plan to invest.
- Optionally raise contributions each year and set an inflation rate to see the result in today’s dollars.
- Read your projected balance, compare return scenarios, and check how long it takes to reach your goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will $200 a month be worth in 40 years?
At a 7% average annual return compounded monthly, investing $200 a month for 40 years grows to about $525,000 — from $96,000 of contributions. At 5% it’s about $305,000; at 9%, about $935,000. Real returns vary year to year, so treat these as estimates.
What rate of return should I use?
Many planners use 5% to 7% a year for a diversified stock-heavy portfolio when they want results in today’s dollars, or 7% to 10% before inflation. The U.S. stock market has averaged roughly 10% a year nominally over long periods, but with large swings. Use the scenario table to see a range rather than relying on one number.
What does “today’s dollars” mean?
It’s your future balance adjusted for inflation, so you can judge what it would buy now. At 3% inflation, $1 million in 30 years has the buying power of about $412,000 today.
How is this different from the compound interest calculator?
The compound interest calculator focuses on how compounding frequency affects savings. This investment calculator adds yearly contribution increases, an inflation-adjusted value, return scenarios, and time to reach a goal.
Guides to go with this calculator
What Is the Average Stock Market Return?
You’ll hear “the market returns 10% a year.” It’s true on average — and misleading if you stop there. Here’s the real number, the inflation-adjusted number, and how to plan around both.
Rule of 72: How to Double Your Money (With Table)
Divide 72 by your annual return and you get the years it takes to double your money. Here’s the formula, a ready-made table, and where the shortcut breaks down.
What Is a Good ROI? How to Calculate Your Return
ROI is simple to calculate and easy to misread. Here’s the formula, what a “good” return looks like, and the one adjustment that makes two investments actually comparable.
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