Future Value Calculator

Project the future value of a present amount and repeating contributions with flexible payment timing and compounding frequency.

Future value projection Estimate what a starting amount and repeating contributions could be worth after compounding at a chosen annual rate.

Contribution timing

Display currency

Switch the currency used for the money inputs and results without changing the compounding maths.

Result

$59,163.80

Projected future value after 10 years using monthly cash flows and monthly compounding.

From present value
$18,193.97
From contributions
$40,969.84
Total contributions
$40,000.00
Growth above cash in
$19,163.80

Projection assumptions

Effective annual rate: 6.17%. Total contribution periods: 120. This model assumes a constant annual rate and equal repeating contributions.

Year-by-year balance

YearBalanceCash inGrowth
1$13,700.67$13,000.00$700.67
2$17,629.59$16,000.00$1,629.59
3$21,800.83$19,000.00$2,800.83
4$26,229.35$22,000.00$4,229.35
5$30,931.01$25,000.00$5,931.01
6$35,922.66$28,000.00$7,922.66
7$41,222.18$31,000.00$10,222.18
8$46,848.56$34,000.00$12,848.56
9$52,821.97$37,000.00$15,821.97
10$59,163.80$40,000.00$19,163.80

How to use this result

Use the projection to test conservative, moderate, and optimistic return assumptions. It is a planning model, not a market forecast, and it does not account for taxes, fees, or inflation unless you adjust the rate yourself.

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Investment Math

Future value calculator guide: compounding a present amount and recurring contributions

A future value calculator estimates what a present amount and repeating contributions could grow to over time at a chosen annual rate. It is useful for savings plans, investment scenarios, and any finance question where the real goal is the projected balance at the end of a term rather than the rate itself.

What future value shows you

Future value is the amount an existing lump sum or a stream of contributions may grow to after compounding over time. It is one of the core time-value-of-money calculations because it connects four ideas that matter in real planning: starting balance, contribution amount, rate of return, and time horizon.

A future value estimate is especially useful when you want to test habits rather than guess exact outcomes. By adjusting the rate, term, or contribution amount, you can see how much each variable changes the end balance.

Lump sums, contributions, and compounding

A starting balance grows because returns compound on prior returns. Regular contributions add another growth engine because each contribution has its own compounding window. Payments made at the beginning of each period generally produce a higher future value than payments made at the end because the money is invested for longer.

This calculator converts the chosen annual rate into an effective rate for the selected payment frequency, so it can combine a present amount and repeating contributions in one consistent projection.

FV of lump sum = PV x (1 + i)^n

Compounds a present amount PV forward over n periods at periodic rate i.

FV of ordinary annuity = PMT x (((1 + i)^n - 1) / i)

Compounds equal end-of-period contributions PMT across n periods.

FV of annuity due = FV of ordinary annuity x (1 + i)

Adjusts the annuity result upward when each contribution is made at the beginning of the period.

Worked example: combining a starting balance with monthly saving

Suppose you start with 10,000, add 250 each month, assume a 6% annual rate, and keep the plan running for 10 years. The calculator separates the ending future value into the portion produced by the original balance, the portion contributed directly in cash, and the portion created by compounding growth above those cash inputs.

That split is useful because it tells you whether the outcome is being driven more by time in the market, your savings behaviour, or both. It also makes it easier to stress-test the plan by lowering the assumed return or raising the contribution amount.

What this projection excludes

This future value estimate assumes one steady annual rate and equal contribution timing across the whole term. Real returns are uneven, cash flows often change, and taxes or fees can materially reduce the end balance.

That means the result is best used for planning scenarios rather than prediction. If a plan only works at an optimistic rate, treat that as a warning sign and rerun the calculation with a more conservative assumption.

Further reading

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between future value and total contributions?

Total contributions are only the cash you put in. Future value includes those contributions plus any compounded growth earned on them over time. The gap between the two is the value created by compounding under the rate assumption you chose.

 Why do beginning-of-period contributions produce a higher future value?

Because each contribution is invested for one extra period. That means the entire payment stream earns slightly more growth than the same stream contributed at the end of each period.

 Can I use this future value calculator for savings and investments?

Yes. The underlying maths is the same for any scenario built around a starting amount, repeating contributions, a steady annual rate, and a time horizon. The interpretation differs: savings products may have lower but steadier rates, while investment returns are more uncertain.

 Does this projection account for fees, inflation, or tax?

No. The calculator applies one constant annual rate and timing model only. If you want a more realistic projection, reduce the rate to reflect expected fees, tax drag, or inflation and compare multiple scenarios rather than relying on one headline number.

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