Free future value calculator
Enter a present value, interest rate, and time period — this future value calculator shows what your money will grow to with compound interest, updated live, as you type.
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Hypothetical projection. Excludes taxes, inflation, and fees. Actual investment returns vary.
Results are estimates. Consult a professional.
How the future value calculator works
Future value (FV) is the dollar amount a sum of money will grow to at a given interest rate over a specified period. It is the mathematical engine behind every retirement projection, savings goal, and investment forecast. The calculator supports three modes: a one-time lump sum, periodic contributions, and a combined view that accounts for inflation via the real rate of return.
Where PV is the present value (initial deposit), r is the periodic interest rate (annual rate ÷ compounding periods per year), n is the total number of compounding periods, and PMT is the contribution made at the end of each period. The real return formula removes the effect of inflation so you can see purchasing-power growth, not just nominal dollar growth.
SEC — Saving and Investing: Compound InterestWorked example: $5,000 invested at 7% for 20 years
An investor places a one-time $5,000 deposit in a diversified index fund earning an average 7% annually, compounded annually, and makes no additional contributions over 20 years.
Future value of $1,000 at various rates and time horizons
The table below shows how a single $1,000 deposit grows at five common return rates over holding periods from 5 to 40 years. Values are rounded to the nearest dollar and assume annual compounding with no additional contributions.
| Rate | 5 years | 10 years | 20 years | 30 years | 40 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4% | $1,217 | $1,480 | $2,191 | $3,243 | $4,801 |
| 6% | $1,338 | $1,791 | $3,207 | $5,743 | $10,286 |
| 8% | $1,469 | $2,159 | $4,661 | $10,063 | $21,725 |
| 10% | $1,611 | $2,594 | $6,727 | $17,449 | $45,259 |
| 12% | $1,762 | $3,106 | $9,646 | $29,960 | $93,051 |
Source: Federal Reserve compound-interest reference tables; calculations verified against SEC investor education data
Tips for maximizing future value
Time and rate are the two levers that matter most. Starting early — even with a small amount — typically outperforms starting later with larger contributions, because early years generate the most compounding cycles.
- Start as early as possible — An investor who contributes $5,000/year from age 25 to 35 and then stops will often out-earn someone who contributes $5,000/year from age 35 to 65, thanks to those first compounding decades.
- Increase contribution frequency — Monthly compounding outperforms annual compounding at the same nominal rate. Switching from annual to monthly deposits can meaningfully lift final FV over long horizons.
- Account for inflation — A 7% nominal return with 3% inflation is only a 3.88% real return. Use the real-rate calculation to understand what your future balance will actually buy.
- Mind the fees — A 1% annual expense ratio shaves the effective return from 7% to 6%. Over 30 years on $100,000, that fee difference costs roughly $97,000 in foregone growth.
- Use the Rule of 72 as a sanity check — Divide 72 by your expected return to estimate years to double. At 8%, money doubles every 9 years; at 4%, every 18 years. This quick check helps catch input errors before they mislead planning.
Accuracy and limitations
This calculator assumes a constant rate of return compounded at the selected frequency. Real investment returns vary year-to-year and are not guaranteed. The formulas are mathematically exact given the inputs, but the inputs themselves — especially long-term return assumptions — are estimates. Sequence-of-returns risk (receiving poor returns early in retirement while withdrawing) is not modeled here.
This tool is for educational and planning purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. Future investment performance cannot be predicted. Consult a licensed financial adviser or investment professional before making significant financial decisions based on projected future values.
Future value terms defined
About this future value calculator
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