EachCalculatorInvestment Calculator
Project the future value of an investment given a starting amount, regular contributions, an expected annual return, and a time horizon.
Contribution frequency
Future Value
$49,514.29
Total Contributions
$25,000.00
Total Growth
$24,514.29
How It Works
Compounding your starting balance
Your initial investment grows at the expected annual return rate, compounded either monthly or annually depending on how often you contribute.
Compounding your contributions
Each regular contribution also compounds from the moment it's added, so contributing more frequently (monthly instead of annually) generally grows your balance faster for the same total contributed.
Example Calculation
Starting with $1,000 and contributing $100/month at a 6% annual return for 20 years grows to roughly $47,000 — about $25,000 of which is investment growth, not contributions.
Common Mistakes
- Comparing monthly vs. annual contribution frequency without noticing monthly compounding usually wins even at the same total yearly amount.
- Using an overly optimistic return rate for a short time horizon, where market volatility matters more than the long-run average.
- Forgetting this is a projection based on a constant assumed rate — real returns vary year to year.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between this and the Retirement Calculator?
- This calculator is a general-purpose compound growth projection based on a number of years. The Retirement Calculator uses the same math but is framed around your current age and target retirement age.
- Why does contribution frequency matter?
- Contributing monthly means your money starts compounding sooner than if you waited to contribute annually, which adds up meaningfully over long time horizons.