Free Investment Calculator
Visualize your financial future. Calculate how your initial savings and monthly contributions grow over time with compound interest.
Last Updated: 15 Jan 2026
Investment Plan
Plan your wealth
See how monthly contributions grow over time
What is an Investment Calculator?
An investment calculator is a financial planning tool that projects how your money will grow over time with compound interest and regular contributions. It helps you visualize the future value of your investments, understand the power of compound interest, and plan for long-term financial goals like retirement, education, or major purchases.
Investment calculators are essential for retirement planning, 401(k) management, SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) planning, and general wealth building. They show how small, consistent contributions can grow into substantial wealth over decades, demonstrating the importance of starting early and investing regularly.
Why Use Our Free Investment Calculator?
Compound Interest Visualization
See how compound interest accelerates your wealth growth over time. Understand how your money earns money, creating exponential growth.
Monthly Contribution Planning
Calculate the impact of regular monthly contributions (Dollar Cost Averaging). See how consistent investing builds wealth faster than one-time investments.
Retirement Planning
Plan for retirement by projecting 401(k), IRA, or other retirement account growth. Determine if you're on track to meet your retirement goals.
Common Use Cases for Investment Calculator
Retirement Planning
401(k) Projections
Calculate future value of 401(k) accounts with employer matching. Plan contributions to reach retirement savings goals.
IRA Growth
Project Traditional or Roth IRA growth over decades. Compare different contribution levels and investment strategies.
Retirement Goal Setting
Determine how much you need to invest monthly to reach your retirement savings target. Adjust contributions based on projected returns.
Wealth Building
SIP Planning
Plan Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) for mutual funds or stocks. Calculate growth with regular monthly investments.
Education Savings
Plan for children's education expenses. Calculate how much to invest monthly to reach college savings goals.
Long-Term Goals
Plan for major purchases, home down payments, or financial independence. See how consistent investing achieves long-term goals.
The Magic of Compound Interest & Consistency
Why Time Matters
The key to building wealth isn't just timing the market, but time IN the market. Regular monthly contributions combined with compound interest can turn modest savings into significant wealth over 20-30 years.
Example: Investing $200/month at 8% annual return for 30 years grows to approximately $298,000, with only $72,000 in contributions. The remaining $226,000 is compound interest!
Start Early
The earlier you start investing, the more time compound interest has to work. Starting 10 years earlier can double or triple your final balance.
Invest Consistently
Regular monthly contributions (Dollar Cost Averaging) reduce the impact of market volatility and ensure you're investing consistently over time.
Let It Grow
Avoid withdrawing early. The power of compound interest accelerates in later years as your balance grows larger and earns more interest.
Understanding Investment Terms
Principal
The money you invest directly, including your starting amount plus all monthly contributions over time.
Example: $10,000 starting + $200/month × 12 months = $12,400 total principal in year one.
Interest Earned
The money your money makes through compound interest. Over long periods, this can exceed your total contributions.
Example: After 30 years, interest earned often exceeds total principal contributions.
Annual Return Rate
The expected percentage return on your investment each year. Stock market historically returns 7-10% annually after inflation.
Tip: Use conservative estimates (6-7%) for long-term planning to account for market volatility.
Future Value
The total value of your investment at the end of the time period, including principal and all compound interest earned.
Example: $10,000 invested at 8% for 20 years = approximately $46,610 future value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a realistic return rate?
The stock market (S&P 500) has historically returned about 7-10% annually after inflation. Conservative portfolios might expect 4-6%, while aggressive portfolios might target 10-12%. Use 6-7% for conservative long-term planning.
How does monthly contribution affect the total?
Regularly adding money (Dollar Cost Averaging) significantly boosts your total balance over time, as these new contributions also start earning compound interest.
Can I use this for 401(k) planning?
Yes! Simply enter your current balance as the 'Starting Amount', and your total monthly contribution (including employer match) to see your projected retirement savings.
What if I increase contributions over time?
Our calculator uses a fixed monthly contribution. For variable contributions, calculate multiple scenarios or use the average monthly contribution. Increasing contributions over time will accelerate growth even more.
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