Free investment goal calculator
Find the monthly contribution needed to hit an investment goal — enter target amount, current balance, expected return, and years, updated live, as you type.
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Hypothetical projection at fixed rate. Actual savings returns vary. Excludes taxes.
Results are estimates. Consult a professional.
How the investment goal calculator works
An investment goal calculator works backwards from a target balance: given a future dollar goal, a time horizon, and an expected annual return, it solves for the regular monthly contribution you need to make — starting today — to hit that goal exactly.
Worked example: saving $100,000 in 10 years at 7%
You want to accumulate $100,000 over 10 years. You expect an average annual return of 7%. How much must you invest each month?
Monthly contributions needed to reach common savings goals
The table below shows the required monthly contribution for three common investment goals at annual returns of 5%, 7%, and 9% over a 10-year horizon.
| Goal (10 yrs) | 5% / yr | 7% / yr | 9% / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $322 / mo | $289 / mo | $258 / mo |
| $100,000 | $644 / mo | $578 / mo | $517 / mo |
| $250,000 | $1,610 / mo | $1,444 / mo | $1,292 / mo |
Source: PMT = FV × r / ((1 + r)¹²⁰ − 1); r = annual rate ÷ 12; rounded to nearest dollar.
Tips for hitting your investment goal
Consistency and early action matter more than picking the perfect investment. Here are five tips to keep your goal plan on track.
- Start immediately, not on the 1st of next month — every month of delay requires a larger contribution to hit the same target; starting today maximizes compounding.
- Automate contributions — set up a direct-debit or auto-invest feature so the monthly amount moves without requiring a decision each time.
- Increase contributions with income raises — routing even half of each salary bump into investments is an effective way to shorten your timeline.
- Use a realistic return rate — conservative estimates (5–7%) for diversified portfolios prevent the shock of falling short; it's better to exceed a modest goal than miss an optimistic one.
- Revisit the plan annually — life changes (windfalls, expenses, rate changes) affect the math; recalculate each year and adjust your monthly amount accordingly.
Accuracy and limitations
This calculator assumes a constant annual return rate, regular end-of-month contributions, and monthly compounding. It does not account for taxes on gains, investment fees, inflation erosion of the goal amount, or irregular contribution schedules. Market returns vary year to year; the actual amount you need may be higher or lower than the estimate.
To guard against inflation eroding your target, consider setting a goal in today's dollars and then inflating it by the expected inflation rate over your time horizon before entering it into the calculator.
Not financial advice — consult a financial professional for your specific situation.
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About this calculator
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