How this calculator works
Future value answers a simple question: if you invest a sum today and leave it untouched, what will it be worth later? The starting amount is multiplied by one plus the annual growth rate, once for each year in the horizon. That repeated multiplication is compounding — each year’s growth is calculated on the prior year’s larger balance, not just the original deposit.
Total growth is the difference between the projected value and the amount you started with. It isolates how much the money earned over the period, separate from the principal you put in.
Reading the results
The future value is the headline figure: the projected worth at the end of the period. The pie chart splits that figure into the starting amount and the growth on top of it, which makes the contribution of compounding easy to see.
The line chart traces the balance year by year. Notice the curve steepens over time — that upward bend is compounding at work, since later years grow a larger base.
Practical tips
Two inputs dominate the outcome more than people expect:
- Time. Extending the horizon by a few years can change the result dramatically because the final years compound on the largest balance.
- Rate. Small differences in the annual rate widen into large differences over long periods, so be realistic rather than optimistic.
- For a goal that involves regular deposits rather than a single lump sum, use an investment or savings calculator instead.
Caveats
This is a clean mathematical projection at a fixed rate. Real returns vary year to year, and the figure ignores taxes, fees, and inflation, so the future amount will buy less than the same number does today.
Use the result as an educational estimate rather than financial advice or a promise of returns. For decisions that matter, consult a qualified financial professional.
Formula
fv = PV · (1 + rate/100)ʸᵉᵃʳˢFrequently asked questions
- Does this include regular contributions?
- No. This grows a single lump sum. To include recurring deposits, use the Investment or Savings calculator.