Investment Calculator - Compound Growth & Returns

Project investment growth from a starting amount, return rate, compounding, and recurring contributions.

Enter an initial investment, annual return, investment period, compounding schedule, and optional recurring contribution.

Project investment growth from a starting amount, return rate, compounding, and recurring contributions.

Initial Investment

Annual Interest Rate (%)

Investment Period (Years)

Compound Frequency

Additional Contributions (Optional)

Contribution Frequency

About Compound Investment Growth

An investment calculator compounds a starting balance, then adds the future value of recurring contributions. That combination is the usual planning picture for a brokerage account, a savings plan, or a simplified retirement projection: money already invested keeps earning, and new deposits keep arriving on a schedule. The investment calculator compounds the initial amount at the annual rate for the chosen compounding frequency: initial × (1 + rate ÷ n)^(n × years). Recurring contributions are treated as end-of-period deposits. Their future value is contribution × ((1 + rate ÷ contribution frequency)^(contribution frequency × years) − 1) ÷ (rate ÷ contribution frequency). Total deposits equal the initial amount plus every contribution. Investment growth is future value minus those deposits, and return on investment is growth divided by total deposits. A $10,000 start, 7% annual return, 10 years, and $100 each month, with monthly compounding and monthly contributions, grows to about $37,405.09. Without additions, $5,000 at 5% for five years, compounded monthly, reaches about $6,416.79. Longer horizons amplify contributions: $20,000 plus $500 monthly at 8% for 20 years projects about $393,046.26 under the same end-of-period convention. The model uses a constant rate and does not apply taxes, account fees, or contribution limits. Real markets vary year to year; a 7% average is not a 7% path. Contribution frequency and compounding frequency are separate controls, so a monthly deposit with annual compounding is allowed even though a bank might credit interest on a different schedule. Use the investment calculator to size a savings rate or to compare “start now versus start later,” then verify product fees and tax wrappers before you commit cash. Sequence-of-returns risk still matters: earning the average rate every year is not the same as earning that average after a large early loss. Revisit the rate after fees and inflation if the projection is meant to support a spending plan rather than a headline future-value number.

Investment Calculator Worked Examples

Use these worked scenarios to check inputs and understand how the estimate responds.

Inputs	Result	Interpretation
$10,000 initial, 7% annual return, 10 years, $100 monthly	About $37,405.09 future value	Monthly additions increase both deposits and compounding.
$5,000 initial, 5% annual return, 5 years, no additions	About $6,416.79 future value	The result is the starting amount compounded monthly.
$20,000 initial, 8% annual return, 20 years, $500 monthly	About $393,046.26 future value	Longer horizons amplify recurring contributions.

How to Project Compound Investment Growth

Enter the initial investment, annual return, and number of years.
Choose compounding frequency and, if you invest on a schedule, the contribution amount and contribution frequency.
Select Calculate to see projected future value, total contributions, growth, and return on investment.
Set contributions to zero or change the rate to compare a lump-sum path with a savings plan.

Investment Calculator FAQ

Are contributions added at the beginning or the end of each period?

The investment calculator treats contributions as end-of-period deposits. Beginning-of-period deposits would earn one extra period of interest and produce a slightly higher future value.

What compounding frequency should I choose?

Match the account if you know it: many savings accounts compound daily or monthly, while some bonds pay semi-annually. If you are modeling a long-run market return, monthly compounding is a common planning default.

Does the investment calculator include taxes or fees?

No. The rate you enter is applied gross. For a taxable account, use an after-tax return; for funds with expense ratios, reduce the rate or use the investment fee calculator alongside this projection.

How is return on investment defined here?

ROI is (future value ÷ total contributions) − 1, expressed as a percent. It is not an annualized IRR. Two plans with the same ROI can have very different time horizons.

Why does a longer horizon increase growth so sharply?

Compounding applies the return to a larger base each year, and each contribution has more time to earn interest. That is why raising the term often changes the result more than a small change in the monthly amount.

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