Investing
Investment Growth Calculator
Project how a monthly or lump-sum investment could grow over time with compounding and a chosen return rate.
Enter what you can invest and for how long to see a projected balance and how much came from your own contributions versus growth.
Investing
Try the calculator
Example
A modest monthly contribution invested consistently for decades can grow far larger than the sum you put in, because the returns earn their own returns.
Results
Projected balance
$352,656
From your contributions
$125,000
From growth
$227,656
Projection
Trend view
Result reading
The visual trend is moving up, with an approximate change of $342,337 across the period shown.
Planning cue
Use the output as a scenario test rather than a promise. Small input changes can materially change the result.
Assumes level contributions and a constant return, which markets will not deliver exactly. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How it works
What the result is showing you
These sections explain what the calculator measures, which assumptions matter most, and where the number can be misleading.
Contributions versus growth
The projected balance separates what you personally contributed from what compounding added. Early on contributions dominate; later, growth dominates.
The return is an assumption
The rate you enter is a planning assumption, not a guarantee. Markets move, so treat the output as a range of possibilities rather than a forecast.
Time is the main lever
A longer horizon usually matters more than squeezing a higher return. Starting earlier lets the same monthly amount build a much larger ending balance.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this calculator.
Is this the same as compound interest?
Yes. This tool applies compound interest to your contributions, just framed around investing. The growth portion is interest and gains earned on earlier gains.
What return should I enter?
A diversified stock-heavy portfolio might use a long-term assumption around 6 to 8 percent, but actual results will vary. Use a conservative number if you want a margin of safety.
People also search for
Related tools
Other tools that usually come next
Use these if you want to compare a connected cost, adjust the budget around it, or check the next step in the same decision.
Investing
Compound Interest Calculator
Estimate how a starting balance and steady monthly investing can grow over time through compound returns.
Investing
Rule of 72 Calculator
Quickly estimate how long it takes for your money to double using the Rule of 72, plus see the exact calculation.
Retirement
Retirement Calculator
Project future retirement savings based on your current balance, ongoing contributions, and an assumed long-term return.