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Investing & Retirement

Investment Calculator

Project the future value of an investment with regular contributions. Enter what you have, what you add, and an expected return to see where you could end up.

Your numbers

Adjust anything — the projection recalculates instantly in your browser.

years
%

Projected balance

After 20 years

$300,851

You put in $130,000 and earned $170,851 in growth.

Total contributions

$130,000

Interest / growth

$170,851

Final balance

$300,851

Assumes a constant average annual return, which real markets never deliver year to year. A projection, not a guarantee.

Where steady investing leads

This calculator projects how an investment grows when you keep adding to it. The result isn't a promise — markets are volatile — but it shows the shape of long-term investing: contributions do the work early, and compounding takes over later.

Example

Start with $10,000, invest $500 a month, and assume a 7% return. Over 20 years you'd contribute $130,000, and the portfolio could grow to roughly $300,000 — with more than half of the final balance coming from growth rather than your deposits.

Keep it in perspective

Real returns arrive unevenly, and a run of bad years early can matter. That's why an emergency fund and low-interest debt come first. Once you're investing, track progress toward independence with the retirement and FIRE calculators.

Related calculators

Compound Interest CalculatorWatch a lump sum and monthly deposits snowball over the years.Retirement CalculatorAre you on track? Project your nest egg to retirement age.FIRE CalculatorWhen financial independence and early retirement become possible.Rule of 72 CalculatorRoughly how many years it takes your money to double.

Frequently asked questions

What return should I assume?
A diversified stock portfolio has historically averaged roughly 7% a year after inflation over long periods, but returns vary widely year to year and the past doesn’t guarantee the future. Use a conservative number for planning and revisit it as markets change.
Does this account for taxes and fees?
No — it projects gross growth. Investment fees and taxes on gains reduce real returns, so treat the result as an optimistic ceiling. Using tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), IRA) and low-cost index funds keeps more of the growth.
Why add money monthly instead of once?
Regular contributions (dollar-cost averaging) let you invest steadily regardless of market swings and give every dollar time to compound. Consistency usually beats waiting for the “right” moment.