$5,000 plus regular payments
- Principal growth
- $9,096.98
- Payment growth
- $40,969.84
- Total contributions
- $35,000.00
- Estimated growth
- $15,066.82
Future Value Calculator
Use this free future value calculator to project a starting amount and regular payments forward with an entered rate, time period, and payment frequency.
Estimate, not advicePayment or total shownExample inputsTab-only history
Formula steps
- Compound the starting amount over the selected time.
- Compound each regular payment using the selected payment frequency.
- Add both future value parts.
Examples
Recent answers
Recent future value estimates will appear here.
Future value estimates use steady rates and payments. Real results can vary with fees, timing, and market returns.
Inputs and recent answers stay in this browser tab and are not sent to a server.
How to use the Future Value Calculator
- Enter the requested dollar amounts, rates, terms, tax settings, or contribution details.
- Use rates as percentages, such as 6.5 for 6.5%, and check whether a field asks for a monthly or annual amount.
- Press the calculate button to see the answer, supporting metrics, and formula steps.
- Use the result as a planning estimate only, then copy it if the assumptions look right.
What people use it for
Project a savings or investment balance.
Compare payment frequencies and return assumptions.
Separate growth from total contributions.
Use alongside present value for time-value math.
Quick examples
Monthly saving
$5,000 start plus $250 monthly for 10 years at 6%About $50,066.82 future value, with $35,000.00 contributed
No new payments
$20,000 compounded for 8 years at 5%About $29,811.71 lump-sum future value
Annual contribution
$10,000 start plus $3,000 per year for 12 years at 7%About $76,187.27 future value, with $46,000.00 contributed
Need the guide or a nearby tool?
Need a slower walkthrough, a related calculator, or the full library? These links keep you close to the task you started.
- How to use the Future Value CalculatorSee slower examples, input meanings, formula notes, result limits, and mistakes to avoid.
- FinanceBrowse related calculators and utilities in the same category.
- Calculator and utility guidesFind more guides that use real tool inputs and example numbers.
- All free toolsSearch every live tool, converter, calculator, AI helper, and browser utility.
Frequently asked questions
Plain-language answers about when to use the estimate, what your numbers mean, what is left out, and how privacy works.
When should I use the Future Value Calculator?
Use it when you want to test the exact inputs on this page: Project a savings or investment balance. Compare payment frequencies and return assumptions. The result is a check against your assumptions, not proof that a lender, tax app, broker, platform, or provider will use the same number.
What do the main Future Value Calculator inputs mean?
Starting amount means the balance you already have before new payments and modeled growth. Regular payment means the amount added each period. Match this to the selected payment frequency. Interest / return rate means the annual rate entered as a normal percent, such as 6 for 6%. Years means how long the projection runs. The calculator rounds the number of payment periods from years times payments per year. Payments per year means how often the regular payment is made, such as 12 for monthly or 1 for yearly.
What is future value?
Future value is the projected ending balance after a starting amount and any regular payments grow over time at the rate you enter. It is a planning estimate, not a promise of actual investment performance.
How does this calculator handle regular payments?
It treats regular payments as end-of-period payments, similar to an ordinary annuity. A payment made at the beginning of each period would usually grow slightly more because it has one extra period to compound.
Should I enter an annual rate or a monthly rate?
Enter the annual rate as a percent. The calculator divides that rate by the payment frequency, so monthly payments use one-twelfth of the annual rate in each monthly period.
Does future value include inflation, taxes, or fees?
No. The result is a before-tax, before-fee projection in today-dollar terms. Inflation, taxes, account fees, contribution limits, and market losses can all change the real buying power or final account value.
What is the difference between future value and present value?
Future value moves money forward to estimate a later balance. Present value moves future money backward to estimate what it is worth today at a chosen discount rate.
Can I use this for investments as well as savings?
Yes, as a simple scenario test. For investing, treat the rate as an assumption and compare several rates because actual returns can move up, down, or arrive in a different order than the calculator assumes.
What is the Future Value Calculator doing with my numbers?
In plain language: The calculator compounds the starting amount and compounds each regular payment using the selected payment frequency, then adds both future value parts. For the default example, $5,000 plus $250 monthly for 10 years at 6% projects about $50,066.82, with $35,000.00 contributed and about $15,066.82 modeled growth.
How should I read the Future Value Calculator answer?
Start with estimated future value, then compare principal growth, payment growth, total contributions, and estimated growth. That split shows whether the starting balance, the payment stream, or the rate assumption is carrying the result.
What does this estimate leave out?
This assumes a steady rate and end-of-period payment timing. It does not include market volatility, taxes, fees, missed or changing payments, inflation, account rules, sequence risk, or investment advice. For savings, compare the account APY and rules. For investing, compare taxes, fees, inflation, risk, contribution limits, and whether a steady return assumption is realistic.
What should I double-check before copying the result?
Check that the rate is annual, payment frequency matches the payment amount, years are entered as years, and the percent is entered as 6 for 6%, not 0.06.
Does the site save my finance inputs?
No. The calculator runs in your browser tab. Recent answers stay only on the page while you use it, and they are not sent to a server.