Investment Growth Calculator
Most people build wealth not with one big deposit but by investing a little every month and letting it grow. This investment growth calculator projects the future value of a starting amount plus regular monthly contributions, given an expected annual return and a time horizon. It shows the final value, how much of it you contributed, and how much came from growth — the part that makes long-term investing powerful. Returns are not guaranteed, so treat the projection as a planning estimate built on the return you choose, and try a more conservative rate to see a safer scenario.
Calculate
Default result: $20,096.61
Investment Growth Calculator · Materials
calculators.dev
Future value
10000 × 0 × 7 × 10
Shopping list
- Total you put in
- $10,000.00
- Growth from returns
- $10,096.61
Est. total
$20,096.61
Estimate — confirm w/ supplier · calculators.dev
This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are projections based on the figures you enter and the stated assumptions, and actual outcomes will differ. Consult a qualified financial professional before making borrowing, saving, or investment decisions.
Reviewed by the calculators.dev team · Last updated 2026-06-24
Formula reviewed against Investor.gov Compound Interest Calculator — U.S. SEC future-value reference
How to calculate
Enter your starting amount, your monthly contribution, the annual return you expect, and the number of years. The calculator grows the lump sum and the stream of monthly deposits together, compounding monthly, and adds them up. For $10,000 with no monthly deposit at 7% over 10 years, the value roughly doubles to about $20,096.61. Add a monthly contribution to see how regular investing accelerates the total. Contributions here are assumed at the end of each month.
FV = P(1 + i)^n + PMT · ((1 + i)^n − 1) / i. P is the starting amount, PMT is the monthly contribution, i is the monthly return (annual ÷ 12), and n is the number of months (years × 12). The first term grows the lump sum; the second grows the contributions as an ordinary (end-of-period) annuity. Growth from returns is FV minus everything you contributed.
Example calculation
A $10,000 investment earning 7% a year compounded monthly, with no further deposits, grows to about $20,096.61 over 10 years — it roughly doubles. Adding a monthly contribution increases the result substantially: the deposits themselves compound, and the longer the horizon, the larger the share of the final value that comes from growth rather than from the money you put in.
- futureValue
- $20,096.61
- totalContributed
- $10,000.00
- interestEarned
- $10,096.61
Assumptions
- The expected return is constant and earned monthly; real returns vary year to year and can be negative.
- Contributions are made at the end of each month — a separate SIP convention uses start-of-month timing.
- Taxes and investment fees are not deducted; both would reduce the real-world result.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a high return with certainty — markets fluctuate, so model a conservative rate too.
- Ignoring fees and taxes, which compound against you over long horizons.
- Underestimating the value of small monthly contributions over decades, where compounding does most of the work.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from the compound interest calculator?
The compound interest page grows a single lump sum. This one also adds regular monthly contributions and compounds them, which reflects how most people actually invest.
What return should I use?
There is no guaranteed figure. A diversified long-term portfolio has historically returned more than cash but with risk and down years. Use a conservative rate for planning and compare scenarios.
When are contributions added — start or end of month?
This calculator uses end-of-month contributions (an ordinary annuity). A SIP-style calculation uses start-of-month timing, which produces a slightly higher result for the same inputs.
Does this account for inflation, taxes, or fees?
No. It shows nominal growth before taxes and fees. Real spending power will be lower after inflation, and taxes or fund fees reduce the net return.