View Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Year | Start Balance | Contributions | Interest | End Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10,000 | $6,000 | $919 | $16,919 |
| 2 | $16,919 | $6,000 | $1,419 | $24,339 |
| 3 | $24,339 | $6,000 | $1,956 | $32,294 |
| 4 | $32,294 | $6,000 | $2,531 | $40,825 |
| 5 | $40,825 | $6,000 | $3,148 | $49,973 |
| 6 | $49,973 | $6,000 | $3,809 | $59,782 |
| 7 | $59,782 | $6,000 | $4,518 | $70,299 |
| 8 | $70,299 | $6,000 | $5,278 | $81,578 |
| 9 | $81,578 | $6,000 | $6,094 | $93,671 |
| 10 | $93,671 | $6,000 | $6,968 | $106,639 |
| 11 | $106,639 | $6,000 | $7,905 | $120,544 |
| 12 | $120,544 | $6,000 | $8,910 | $135,455 |
| 13 | $135,455 | $6,000 | $9,988 | $151,443 |
| 14 | $151,443 | $6,000 | $11,144 | $168,587 |
| 15 | $168,587 | $6,000 | $12,383 | $186,971 |
| 16 | $186,971 | $6,000 | $13,712 | $206,683 |
| 17 | $206,683 | $6,000 | $15,137 | $227,820 |
| 18 | $227,820 | $6,000 | $16,665 | $250,486 |
| 19 | $250,486 | $6,000 | $18,304 | $274,790 |
| 20 | $274,790 | $6,000 | $20,061 | $300,851 |
How to Use the Investment Calculator
- 1
Enter your starting amount
Type in your initial investment, which is the lump sum you already have or plan to invest right away. This figure serves as the base for all future compounding calculations. - 2
Set monthly contributions
Enter the amount you plan to add each month. Even small regular contributions create a powerful compounding effect over time, often exceeding the returns on your initial deposit alone. - 3
Choose your return rate and time horizon
Select an expected annual return rate based on your asset mix. A diversified stock portfolio historically averages 7-10% before inflation. Then set the number of years you plan to stay invested. - 4
Review your projection
Click calculate to see your projected final balance, total contributions, and total interest earned. Use the year-by-year breakdown table to track how compounding accelerates growth in later years.
Who Benefits from an Investment Calculator?
Retirement planners
New investors
Parents saving for education
Side-income earners
Why Use Investment Calculator?
The investment calculator is a free projection tool that models how a lump-sum deposit and recurring contributions grow through compound interest over any time horizon. Enter your initial investment, monthly contribution, expected annual return, and investment period, and the calculator instantly produces a final balance, total interest earned, and a detailed year-by-year breakdown. It supports multiple compounding frequencies, from daily to annual, so you can compare scenarios side by side.
Compound interest is the single most important force in long-term wealth building. Albert Einstein reportedly called it the eighth wonder of the world, and for good reason: a $500 monthly contribution at 8% annual return grows to over $745,000 in 30 years, even though you only contribute $180,000 out of pocket. The remaining $565,000 comes entirely from compounding. This calculator lets you experiment with those numbers so you can set realistic goals. If you want to dig deeper into the compounding math itself, try the Compound Interest Calculator, or use the Retirement Calculator to factor in withdrawal phases and Social Security.
Once you have a growth target, pair this tool with the ROI Calculator to evaluate individual opportunities, the Savings Calculator to plan your emergency fund, or the Net Worth Calculator to track your full financial picture over time.
How It Compares
Most investment calculators available online either hide results behind sign-up walls or push you toward specific brokerage accounts. This calculator runs entirely in your browser with no server uploads, no account required, and no ads interrupting your workflow. You get instant results with a full year-by-year breakdown table, something many competing tools reserve for premium tiers.
Compared to spreadsheet-based projections, the calculator eliminates formula errors and lets you adjust variables in real time. Compared to robo-advisor projections, it gives you complete control over return assumptions without anchoring you to a single platform's asset allocation. If you need more specialized projections, the FIRE Calculator models early-retirement timelines, and the Dividend Calculator focuses specifically on income-producing portfolios.