Target, current savings, time horizon and return set the monthly amount.
Savings plan calculator
Savings Goal Calculator
Use this monthly savings calculator to estimate how much to save per month for a target amount based on your time horizon, current savings and expected return.
Return assumptions
Compare savings scenarios
Choose a return assumption to see how the required monthly saving changes.
How to read this plan
Start with the required monthly saving, then use the chart to see how deposits and estimated growth combine toward the target.
Lower return assumptions put more weight on deposits; higher returns add uncertainty.
Returns are estimates. Inflation, taxes, fees and market volatility are not modeled.
Calculation assumptions reviewed July 8, 2026. Inputs stay in your browser.
Projection
Year by year savings plan
Projected balance
Target
Line chart showing projected savings balance by year against the target amount.
Table
Annual projection
| Year | Starting balance | Annual contributions | Estimated growth | Ending balance | Currency |
|---|
How much should I save each month?
The answer depends on your target amount, current savings, time horizon and expected return. For short term goals, a lower return assumption may be more realistic because the money often needs to stay accessible and less volatile.
For long term goals, expected growth can reduce the monthly saving needed. If the target is far in the future, use the Inflation Calculator to think about purchasing power, then compare growth assumptions with the Compound Interest Calculator.
Nominal target vs inflation-adjusted target
This calculator uses the target amount you enter. If the goal is short term, that amount may already be close to the money you need. If the goal is five, ten or twenty years away, today's price may understate the future target.
For long-term goals, estimate the future cost with the Inflation Calculator first, then enter that inflation-adjusted number here. This keeps the monthly saving estimate closer to the purchasing power you actually want.
Savings goal example
Suppose your target amount is €50,000, your current savings are €5,000, your time horizon is 10 years and your expected annual return is 5%. The calculator estimates the monthly contribution needed based on these inputs.
If the return assumption is lower, more of the goal has to come from monthly deposits. If the return assumption is higher, estimated growth does more of the work, though the result also becomes less certain. For a broader planning view, see the guide on how much to save per month.
How the monthly saving is calculated
This savings calculator with interest uses monthly compounding and assumes contributions are made at the end of each month. The monthly rate comes from the expected annual return divided by 12, and the number of months is the selected years multiplied by 12.
When the return rate is above zero, the calculator uses an annuity formula to solve for the monthly contribution. When the return rate is zero, it divides the remaining gap by the number of months. If current savings are already projected to reach the target, the required monthly saving is shown as zero.
Results are estimates, not financial advice. They do not account for taxes, fees, changing market returns or inflation. To understand the growth math behind the estimate, read the compound interest formula guide.
Build a practical savings plan
Start with the target amount and the savings you already have. Then choose a time horizon and a return assumption that matches how conservatively or aggressively the money may be invested.
Use the scenario cards to compare cash savings, balanced investing and growth investing, then review the chart and annual table to understand how much of the goal comes from deposits versus estimated growth.
Inflation Calculator
Use this first when the target is years away and today's amount may not preserve the same purchasing power.
Future Value Calculator
Use this when you already know a monthly contribution and want to see what that plan could become.
Emergency Fund Calculator
Use this when the savings goal is a cash buffer based on essential monthly expenses.
How much to save per month
Read the supporting guide after testing the calculator with your own target and timeline.
FAQ
Savings Goal Calculator FAQ
The amount depends on your target amount, current savings, time horizon and expected return. Short term goals usually need a more conservative return assumption, while long term goals may benefit more from compounding.
Enter the goal amount, subtract or include what you already have saved, choose the number of years and add an expected annual return. The calculator solves for the monthly contribution needed at the end of each month.
A good savings goal is specific, measurable and tied to a realistic deadline. Examples include an emergency fund, a house deposit, a car, education costs or a long term investment target.
Yes. The expected annual return field lets you include estimated growth with monthly compounding. If you enter 0%, the calculator treats the plan as simple saving without investment growth.
No. This savings goal calculator uses nominal target amounts and nominal expected returns. If the goal is far in the future, inflation can change the real amount you may need.
Use today's amount for short-term goals or when the target is already priced today. For goals several years away, use the Inflation Calculator first to estimate the future purchasing-power target, then enter that higher amount here.
Use a conservative assumption that matches where the money may be held. Cash savings may use a low rate, balanced investing may use a moderate rate, and growth investing may use a higher but less certain rate.
No. This is an educational planning tool. The results are estimates and do not account for taxes, fees, market volatility or your personal financial situation.