Savings Calculator (Monthly Contributions)
What a starting amount plus a fixed monthly deposit grows to with compound returns — future value, total contributions and earnings.
914 views
Regular Saving, Compounded
The future value combines two parts: your starting amount growing at P·(1+i)ⁿ, and the stream of monthly deposits growing at A·[((1+i)ⁿ − 1) ÷ i] — where i is the monthly rate (annual ÷ 12) and n the number of months. Deposits are assumed at each month's end.
The lesson hidden in the math: time beats amount. At 8% annual, $500/month becomes ≈ $91k in 10 years but ≈ $745k in 30 — the later decades contribute far more than the early ones. Start small, start now. Enter the rate as a nominal annual figure; for an inflation-adjusted answer, use a real return (nominal − inflation).
Frequently Asked Questions
What return rate should I assume?
Long-run broad stock index averages are often quoted near 7-10% nominal; savings accounts and bonds much less. Use a conservative figure for planning, and remember returns are not guaranteed or linear.
Does it account for inflation?
Only if you enter a real (inflation-adjusted) rate. With 9% nominal returns and 4% inflation, enter ~5% to see the answer in today's purchasing power.
Deposit at start or end of month?
The formula assumes end of month. Depositing at the start earns one extra month per deposit — multiply the deposit part by (1+i) for that variant; the difference is small at typical rates.
Similar Tools
Report a Problem
Savings Calculator (Monthly Contributions)