Future value projection

Future Value Calculator

Estimate what a starting amount and monthly contribution plan could be worth in the future, based on return rate, time horizon and compounding frequency.

Free tool No signup Browser-based calculations Not financial advice

Enter your assumptions

Use this investment future value calculator to adjust the starting amount, monthly contribution, expected annual return and time horizon.

Starting amount The amount already invested or saved at the beginning.

Monthly contribution Added at the end of each month in this estimate.

Annual return Use the expected annual return as a percentage.

Time horizon Whole years for the year-by-year projection table.

Compounding frequency How often the annual return is compounded.

Currency Used only to format inputs and results.

Quick scenarios

Compare common future investment value calculator setups. Scenarios are estimates, not predictions.

Estimated future value $0

Estimate how much your plan could be worth at the end of the selected time horizon.

FV = PV × (1 + r / n) ^ (n × t)

Total contributions $0

Estimated growth $0

Starting amount $0

Monthly contribution $0

Future value growth chart

Projected future value over the selected time horizon.

0-20 years

Year-by-year projection

Each row estimates the future value after that many full years, including end-of-month contributions.

Year	Starting amount value	Monthly contributions	Total contributions	Estimated growth	Future value

Monthly contributions are modeled as end-of-month deposits. Returns, fees and taxes can differ in real accounts.

Methodology

How this future value calculator works

The calculator separates the future value of the starting amount from the future value of monthly contributions, then combines them into one projection.

How to use this future value calculator

Enter your starting amount, monthly contribution, annual return, time horizon, compounding frequency and currency. The future value calculator updates the result card and year-by-year projection immediately.

Use it to calculate future value for a savings or investing plan, then compare scenarios to see how the estimate changes when the return, contribution level or time horizon changes.

Calculation methodology

The starting amount is compounded using the selected frequency: annually, monthly or daily. The monthly contribution estimate uses a monthly effective return and assumes each contribution is made at the end of the month.

Results are educational planning estimates. They do not include taxes, fees, inflation, changing market returns, account limits or contribution timing differences.

Future value formula

The future value formula for a starting amount is FV = PV x (1 + r / n) ^ (n x t).

PV is the present value or starting amount.
r is the annual return as a decimal.
n is the number of compounding periods per year.
t is the time horizon in years.

Future value example

With a $10,000 starting amount, $300 monthly contribution, 7% annual return and 20-year horizon, the estimate combines the compounded starting amount with the future value of the monthly deposits.

This makes the page useful as a future value of investment calculator because it shows the ending amount, the total money contributed and the estimated growth separately.

Future value with monthly contributions

This future value calculator with monthly contributions treats each deposit as an end-of-month contribution. For a recurring contribution, the ordinary-annuity form is FV = PMT x (((1 + i) ^ m - 1) / i).

In that formula, PMT is the monthly contribution, i is the monthly effective return and m is the number of monthly contributions.

Future value vs present value

Future value estimates where money could end up after time and return are applied. Present value works in the opposite direction and asks what a future amount may be worth today.

Use this future value of money calculator when you want to look forward. If you want to understand the compounding mechanism in more detail, compare it with the Compound Interest Calculator.

Next steps

Related calculators and guides

Use these calculators and guides when you want to compare compounding, simple interest, savings goals, inflation or the formulas behind long-term estimates.

FAQ

Future Value Calculator FAQ

Use these answers as educational references. The calculator is not financial advice.

What is future value?

Future value is an estimate of what money could be worth at a later date after applying return, time, compounding and any added contributions.

How do you calculate future value?

Future value is calculated by compounding the starting amount and then adding the future value of recurring contributions. This calculator assumes monthly contributions are made at the end of each month.

What is the future value formula?

For a starting amount, the future value formula is FV = PV x (1 + r / n) ^ (n x t), where PV is present value, r is annual return, n is compounding periods per year and t is time in years.

Does this calculator include monthly contributions?

Yes. It includes a monthly contribution input and estimates the future value of those contributions as end-of-month deposits.

What is the difference between future value and compound interest?

Future value is the estimated ending amount. Compound interest is one mechanism that can help money grow toward that future value.

What is the difference between future value and present value?

Present value looks at what a future amount may be worth today. Future value looks forward and estimates what money today may be worth later.

Can this be used as an investment future value calculator?

Yes. You can use it as an educational investment future value calculator by entering a starting amount, monthly contribution, expected annual return and time horizon.

Is this financial advice?

No. This calculator is an educational planning tool and does not provide financial, investment or tax advice.