Investment Growth Calculator
Project how your investments will grow over time with regular contributions and compound returns.
What Is an Investment Growth Calculator?
An investment growth calculator projects the future value of your investments based on an initial deposit, regular contributions, expected return rate, and time horizon. It uses the compound growth formula to show how much of your final balance comes from your own deposits versus investment returns, demonstrating the power of long-term investing.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Your Starting Amount
Input any initial investment amount. This could be money already in a brokerage account, an inheritance, or savings you want to invest.
Set Monthly Contributions
Enter how much you will invest each month. Even $100/month grows significantly over decades.
Choose Expected Annual Return
Use historical averages: 7% for a balanced portfolio, 10% for all-equities (both nominal). Conservative estimates use 5-6%.
Set Your Time Horizon
Longer periods dramatically increase returns through compounding. See how time transforms your contributions.
Key Concepts
Dollar-Cost Averaging
Investing a fixed amount regularly means you buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when high. This smooths out market volatility over time.
Asset Allocation
Your mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets determines your expected return and risk. Younger investors can typically afford a higher equity allocation.
Expense Ratios
Fund fees compound against you. A 1% fee vs 0.05% on a $500,000 portfolio costs about $5,000/year more, money that no longer compounds in your favor.
Diversification
Spreading investments across asset classes, sectors, and geographies reduces risk without necessarily reducing expected returns.
Expert Insights
Total US stock market index funds (like VTI or VTSAX) have been the single most effective long-term wealth building tool for average investors, delivering broad diversification at near-zero cost.
Reinvesting dividends typically accounts for 40-50% of total stock market returns over multi-decade periods. Always enable automatic dividend reinvestment.
Avoid checking your portfolio daily. Research shows investors who check frequently trade more, incur higher costs, and earn lower returns than those who check quarterly or annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual results depend on your specific financial situation, lender terms, and market conditions. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making major financial decisions.
Run These Numbers Too
Compound Interest Calculator
See the power of compound interest and how your investments grow over time.
Retirement Calculator
Estimate how much you need to save for a comfortable retirement and whether you are on track.
Savings Goal Calculator
Calculate how much you need to save each month to reach your financial goal on time.
Start Growing Your Wealth
Compare investment platforms with low fees and powerful tools to maximize your returns.
Compare Investment PlatformsEconomic Snapshot
Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Indicators refresh daily.
Financial News & Regulation
Apr 22, 2026Holding Government Contractors Accountable for Wrongdoing
Jan 21, 2025Argus Information and Advisory Services, a subsidiary of TransUnion, has agreed in writing that it will not seek any government contract with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for three years.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauStrengthening Appraisal Oversight: Progress at the Appraisal Subcommittee
Jan 17, 2025CFPB Deputy Director Zixta Martinez discusses changes at the ASC since she became Chair in 2022, including enhanced state oversight, landmark hearings on appraisal bias, and improved collaboration with The Appraisal Foundation to create a more equitable and accountable appraisal industry.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauBack from the Dead: Zombie Second Mortgages
Jan 17, 2025Forgotten second mortgages may be coming back to haunt homeowners who haven’t received notices or account statements for years.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauHeadlines sourced from government agencies and legal publications. Updated every 12 hours.
Did You Know?
The average credit card interest rate hit 22.76% in 2025 — the highest since tracking began in the early 1990s.
BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) usage tripled between 2020 and 2025, with over 40% of U.S. consumers having used it.
Cost of living varies dramatically: the same salary goes 30-50% further in states like Texas or Tennessee vs. California or New York.
The average 401(k) balance hit $118,600 in 2025, though the median is much lower at $35,286.