Investment Calculator
Compound growthSee how your investments can grow with an initial lump sum and regular contributions—and solve for end balance, years to reach a goal, required return, or how much to invest.
| Year | Start Balance | Contribution | Lump Sum | Growth | End Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | $10,000 | $0 | — | $0 | $10,000 |
| 1 | $10,000 | $6,000 | — | $763.26 | $16,763.26 |
| 2 | $16,763.26 | $6,000 | — | $1,169.06 | $23,932.32 |
| 3 | $23,932.32 | $6,000 | — | $1,599.2 | $31,531.53 |
| 4 | $31,531.53 | $6,000 | — | $2,055.16 | $39,586.68 |
| 5 | $39,586.68 | $6,000 | — | $2,538.47 | $48,125.15 |
| 6 | $48,125.15 | $6,000 | — | $3,050.77 | $57,175.92 |
| 7 | $57,175.92 | $6,000 | — | $3,593.82 | $66,769.74 |
| 8 | $66,769.74 | $6,000 | — | $4,169.45 | $76,939.19 |
| 9 | $76,939.19 | $6,000 | — | $4,779.62 | $87,718.81 |
| 10 | $87,718.81 | $6,000 | — | $5,426.39 | $99,145.2 |
| 11 | $99,145.2 | $6,000 | — | $6,111.98 | $111,257.17 |
| 12 | $111,257.17 | $6,000 | — | $6,838.69 | $124,095.87 |
| 13 | $124,095.87 | $6,000 | — | $7,609.02 | $137,704.89 |
| 14 | $137,704.89 | $6,000 | — | $8,425.56 | $152,130.44 |
| 15 | $152,130.44 | $6,000 | — | $9,291.09 | $167,421.53 |
| 16 | $167,421.53 | $6,000 | — | $10,208.56 | $183,630.09 |
| 17 | $183,630.09 | $6,000 | — | $11,181.07 | $200,811.16 |
| 18 | $200,811.16 | $6,000 | — | $12,211.93 | $219,023.09 |
| 19 | $219,023.09 | $6,000 | — | $13,304.65 | $238,327.74 |
| 20 | $238,327.74 | $6,000 | — | $14,462.93 | $258,790.67 |
Ready to run Monte Carlo and 20+ scenarios with your real numbers?
Get started freeFor illustration only. Returns are not guaranteed. This calculator does not constitute financial advice. Consider consulting a qualified financial advisor for your situation.
About this calculator
This calculator projects the future value of your investments using compound growth: an initial lump sum plus periodic contributions, with return applied each period. It is for anyone planning for retirement, a down payment, or another goal and wants to see how much they will have, how long it will take, or what rate or contribution is needed.
Use it when comparing contribution levels, testing different return assumptions, or planning for inflation and tax. You can solve for end balance, years to goal, required return, initial investment, or periodic contribution. Advanced options include inflation (today’s dollars), MER, tax on growth, lump sums, and contribution limits. The year-by-year table and chart show how balance and growth build over time.
How this is calculated
What this calculator does
The Investment Calculator projects the future value of your investments when you start with an initial lump sum and make periodic contributions. It uses compound growth: each period, return is applied to the current balance, and then your contribution is added (or contribution first if you choose beginning of period). The year-by-year table shows starting balance, contributions, interest/growth earned, and ending balance.
Compound growth and contribution frequency
The annual return rate is converted to a periodic rate based on how often you contribute. For example, with monthly contributions and a 6% annual rate:
monthlyRate = (1 + 0.06)1/12 − 1
Each period, the balance grows by this rate and then your contribution is added (or added first, then growth, if "beginning of period"). So:
balancenext = balance × (1 + periodicRate) + contribution
Growth earned in a year = ending balance − starting balance − contributions − lump sums.
Solve-for modes
Besides the end balance, you can solve for: years needed to reach a target (search over 1–50 years), required return rate, required initial investment, or required periodic contribution. The calculator finds the value that makes the projected balance match your target.
Advanced options
Optional settings: inflation (results in today’s dollars), annual fees (MER), tax on growth, stopping contributions after a certain year, lump sums in a specific year, and contribution limits. Return scenarios show pessimistic and optimistic end balances based on a spread around your expected return.
Assumptions
We assume a constant annual return over the period and that contributions are made on the schedule you choose. Inflation, fees, and tax use the rates you enter. Results are for illustration only and do not guarantee future performance; consider consulting a qualified financial advisor.
Ready to run Monte Carlo and 20+ scenarios with your real numbers?
Get started free