$10k initial, $500/mo, 7% return, 25 years
- Future value ≈ $414k
- Total contributions = $10k + $150k = $160k
- Growth ≈ $254k
finance calculator
Investment Return Calculator
Combine a starting balance plus recurring contributions to see future value, total contributions, and total growth.
Results
- Future value
- $462,290 USD
- Total contributions
- $160,000 USD
- Growth
- $302,290 USD
How to use this calculator
- Enter the initial investment, monthly contribution, expected annual return, and years invested.
- We compound monthly and add each contribution for its remaining time in the market.
- See future value plus the split between your contributions and growth.
Inputs explained
- Initial investment
- Starting balance you already have invested.
- Monthly contribution
- Amount added each month going forward.
- Annual return %
- Estimated average annual return (before or after fees/taxes as you prefer).
- Years invested
- How long you plan to keep investing.
How it works
We compound the starting balance monthly and add each contribution with the remaining time until the end of the horizon.
Outputs highlight the total contributions versus the growth generated by compounding.
Formula
Future value = P(1 + r/12)^(12y) + contribution × [((1 + r/12)^(12y) − 1)/(r/12)]\nTotal growth = future value − contributions
When to use it
- Projecting retirement account growth with monthly contributions.
- Comparing impact of increasing contributions or starting with a larger lump sum.
- Estimating how long it takes to reach a savings milestone at different return rates.
Tips & cautions
- Use an after-fee, after-tax return assumption if you want a conservative projection.
- Try a few return rates (e.g., 5%, 7%, 9%) to see best/worst case scenarios.
- Increase contributions slightly each year to model raises or inflation adjustments.
- Assumes a constant average return and monthly compounding; markets fluctuate.
- Does not account for taxes, fees, or required minimum distributions.
- Contribution timing is monthly; adjust if you invest on a different cadence.
Worked examples
Add $100 more per month
- Future value jumps to ≈ $498k
- Growth accelerates because contributions enter earlier.
Deep dive
Project investment growth by combining a starting balance with monthly contributions and an assumed annual return.
See future value plus how much came from your deposits versus compounding, so you can plan retirement or savings goals.
FAQs
- Does this include taxes?
- No. Adjust the return rate to reflect after-tax expectations if taxes apply.
- Can I model annual bonuses?
- Add them into the monthly contribution field averaged over the year or rerun the calculator with a one-time deposit.
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Investment returns vary. This calculator assumes a constant average return for planning purposes only.