Future Value Calculator
See what a lump sum plus monthly contributions grows to at any rate of return.
Try an example
$144,572.72
About this calculator
What Is Future Value?
Future value (FV) is what an amount of money today will be worth at a point in the future, after earning interest. Because money can earn a return, a dollar now is worth more than a dollar later — a principle called the time value of money, which underpins mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, savings and investing. This future value calculator takes a starting amount, an interest or yield rate, a number of periods and, optionally, a regular deposit, and shows what the balance will grow to.
The Future Value Formula
For a single lump sum: FV = PV × (1 + i)ⁿ, where PV is the present value, i is the interest rate per period and n is the number of periods. With regular deposits (an annuity), add PMT × [((1 + i)ⁿ − 1) ÷ i]. A $10 deposit at 6% for one year grows to $10.60 — a simple example that shows how the formula works.
Worked Example
Starting with $10,000, adding $200 every month, at 7% annual interest (compounded monthly) for 20 years grows to $144,572.72. You'll have contributed $58,000 of your own money in total — the remaining $86,572.72 is interest.
What Each Input Means
- Starting amount (PV): what you invest or deposit today.
- Interest rate (I/Y): the expected return per year; use a realistic estimate rather than a best case.
- Number of periods (N): how long the money stays invested.
- Periodic deposit (PMT): an amount you add each period.
Why Time and Rate Matter So Much
Compounding means each period's growth is calculated on a bigger balance, so the final years add far more than the early ones. Starting earlier is often worth more than saving harder later. Running scenarios with different rates and horizons shows the effect clearly, and it is a good way to set savings goals for retirement, education or a home.
Inflation and Taxes
A future value is a nominal figure. Rising prices reduce what that money can buy, and taxes and fees reduce what you keep. For a realistic plan, subtract expected inflation from the return, or look at the result alongside the Inflation Calculator. To work in the other direction and learn how much you need to invest today to reach a target, use the Present Value Calculator, and for rate-by-rate growth see the Compound Interest Calculator.
Worked example
A $10,000 head start plus $200/month for 20 years at a 7% annual return grows to about $144,585 — $58,000 of that is what you put in; the rest, about $86,585, is investment growth.
Frequently asked questions
What's the formula behind this?
It combines two compound-growth calculations: the starting amount compounded monthly at your rate, plus the future value of a monthly contribution series (an ordinary annuity) at the same rate.
Why does starting early matter so much?
Growth compounds on growth — money invested for 30 years earns returns on returns for three decades, while the same money invested for 10 years only gets a third as long to compound, even at the same rate.
Is a 7% return realistic?
It's a common simplified estimate for long-run stock market average returns before inflation, but actual returns vary year to year and aren't guaranteed — use a rate that matches your own investments and risk tolerance.
Does this account for taxes or fees?
No — this is a pure compound-growth calculation. Taxes, fund fees, and account type (like a Roth vs. traditional IRA) all affect what you actually keep, and aren't factored in here.
