Investing your money is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make. Whether you’re saving for retirement, planning a major purchase, or simply building your wealth, understanding the future value of your investments is crucial. With our Future Value Calculator, you can easily calculate how much your periodic investments will grow over time, helping you make informed financial decisions.
Future Value Calculator
Plan your investment growth (Annualized Return)
Future value
$0.00Total invested
$0.00Total growth
$0.00Real future value
$0.00Effective annualized return
7.00%Horizon
0y 0m
Notes: This calculator uses your annualized rate of return (APY/CAGR), not a nominal rate. We convert that to the appropriate per‑period rate for monthly/annual contributions using r_p = (1 + r)^{1/m} - 1. Lump‑sum growth uses (1 + r)^t for fractional years. Results are estimates only and not financial advice.
How to Use the Future Value Calculator
This Future Value Calculator helps you estimate how much your money could grow over time based on your annualized rate of return (APY/CAGR), initial investment, and regular contributions. Below is a breakdown of the inputs and outputs so you can understand exactly how the tool works.
Inputs
- Initial Investment ($)
The lump sum amount you invest at the start. For example, entering $10,000 means you begin with a one-time deposit of $10,000. - Annualized Rate of Return (%)
The expected yearly growth rate of your investment, expressed as an annualized return (APY or CAGR). This accounts for compounding and gives you the effective yearly rate. For instance, a 7% annualized return means your money grows 7% per year on average. - Time Horizon (Years & Months)
The total time your investment will be held. You can enter whole years plus extra months to get a precise calculation. - Periodic Contribution ($)
The amount you plan to add regularly to your investment. For example, $500 per month or $5,000 annually. - Contribution Frequency
Choose how often you contribute:- Monthly
- Annual
- None (lump sum only)
- Contribution Timing
Select whether contributions are added at the end of each period (default) or at the beginning of each period. Beginning contributions earn an extra period of growth. - Adjust for Inflation
Optionally enter an annualized inflation rate to see the “real” future value of your investment after accounting for inflation. For example, with 2.5% inflation, the calculator will show what your investment is worth in today’s dollars.
Outputs
- Future Value
The projected total value of your investment at the end of the chosen time horizon, including growth from compounding and contributions. - Total Invested
The total amount of money you personally put in (initial investment plus all contributions). - Total Growth
The earnings your money generates from compounding and returns, calculated as the difference between the future value and total invested. - Real Future Value
The inflation-adjusted future value. This shows the true purchasing power of your investment in today’s dollars. - Effective Annualized Return
Displays the annualized rate of return you entered (APY/CAGR), reaffirming the growth assumption used in calculations. - Horizon
The length of time your money is invested, expressed in years and months.
Why This Matters
By understanding both the inputs and outputs, you can model different investment scenarios, compare lump sum vs. contribution strategies, and adjust for inflation to see how much your money could be worth in the future. This calculator is especially useful for retirement planning, long-term savings goals, and investment growth projections.