Future Value Calculator
Calculate the future value of a lump sum or regular investment with compound interest.
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How to use this calculator
PV = present value (lump sum), PMT = monthly contribution, r = monthly rate, n = months.
- 1
Enter your initial lump sum investment (or 0 if starting from scratch).
- 2
Enter any regular monthly contribution amount.
- 3
Enter the expected annual return rate.
- 4
Enter the number of years to invest.
- 5
The result shows the projected future value and total growth earned.
Frequently asked questions
What is future value?
Future value (FV) is what a current sum of money will be worth at a future date, given a specific rate of return. It accounts for the power of compound interest — earning returns on your returns.
What annual return rate should I use?
For a diversified stock index fund (e.g. S&P 500), 7–10% is a commonly used historical estimate. For bonds: 3–5%. For a mixed portfolio: 5–7%. These are estimates, not guarantees.
How powerful is monthly investing?
Investing $500/month at 8% for 30 years grows to approximately $745,000, even though you only contributed $180,000. The extra $565,000 is from compound growth — the "eighth wonder of the world."
What is the difference between future value and present value?
Future value asks: "What will this money be worth later?" Present value asks: "How much is a future sum worth today?" They are inverse calculations using the same compound interest formula.
Future value and compound growth
How to use the future value
Use this future value to he future value of a lump sum or regular investment with compound interest. Enter your values above and get your result in seconds. The tool is free, works on all devices, and keeps your data private — nothing is stored or shared.
How the future value works
The future value calculator uses standard formulas used in financial planning, budgeting, and investment decisions. Enter your inputs, and the tool calculates the result instantly in your browser. No server-side processing means your data stays on your device. Results update in real time as you change inputs.
Compound interest: the engine of wealth
Compound interest means you earn returns on your returns. $10,000 at 8% for 30 years grows to $100,627 — ten times the original amount. The same $10,000 at 8% simple interest would only grow to $34,000. The difference ($66,627) is pure compounding.
Start early — time is the biggest variable
Investing $5,000/year from age 25–35 (10 years, $50,000 total), then stopping, outperforms investing $5,000/year from age 35–65 (30 years, $150,000 total) — if returns are 8%. Starting 10 years earlier with less money wins because of compounding time.
Future value in retirement planning
If you need $1,000,000 at retirement in 30 years, at an 8% return you need to invest approximately $671/month starting today. At 7%, that becomes $820/month. At 6%, it is $995/month. Every percentage point of return makes a significant difference over long periods.
Future value: how it works
This free tool helps you plan and compare financial scenarios in seconds. Enter your figures, adjust the assumptions, and instantly see how different inputs affect the outcome — ideal for budgeting, benchmarking, and data-driven decision-making.
Who uses this tool?
Financial planners, accountants, students, and individuals use it to model scenarios before committing to major financial decisions. It is equally useful for quick sanity checks and detailed what-if analyses.
Learn more from an authoritative source:
InvestopediaCompound Interest Calculator
Calculate how your investment or savings grows over time with the power of compounding.
Simple Interest Calculator
Calculate simple interest, total amount, and interest earned using principal, rate, and time.
ROI Calculator
Calculate return on investment, net profit, and annualised ROI for any investment.
CAGR Calculator
Calculate Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for investments, revenue, or any metric over time.
Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional financial, medical, legal, or technical advice. Read full disclaimer →