Calculator

Compound Interest Calculator

Project how a starting balance plus monthly contributions grow over time with the power of compounding.

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1. Your inputs

$
$0$1M
$
$0$10k
%
0%20%
years
160

Results update instantly. Everything runs in your browser.

2. Your results

Projected future value

$691,150

in 30 years

Total contributed

$190,000

Interest earned

$501,150

Ending balance

$691,150

Starting amount

$10,000

Monthly deposit

$500

Growth multiple

69.1x

Growth over time

ContributionsInterest earned
Y1Y3Y5Y7Y9Y12Y15Y18Y21Y24Y27Y30$0$200k$400k$600k$800k

Final balance breakdown

$691,150

Total

  • Contributions27%

    $190,000

  • Interest earned73%

    $501,150

What does this mean?

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In plain English

Starting with $10,000 and adding $500 every month for 30 years at 7% annual return, you end up with roughly $691,150.

Of that, $501,150 — about 73% — comes from compound growth, not your contributions.

Try shortening the timeline by 5 years or dropping the return by 1% to see how sensitive the final number is to each variable.

Assumptions used

The math relies on these assumptions. Real-world numbers can vary.

  • Constant annual return each year.
  • Monthly contributions made at the end of every month.
  • No taxes, fees, or account minimums applied.
  • Results are nominal (not adjusted for inflation).
  • Compounding calculated monthly.

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Frequently asked

What is compound interest?

Compound interest is interest paid on both your original balance and any interest already earned. Over time it grows exponentially — the sooner you start, the more it works for you.

Why does starting early matter so much?

Because the earliest dollars have the most time to compound. A dollar invested at 25 is worth roughly 4x more at 65 than a dollar invested at 35 (at 7% annual return).

Is 7% a realistic return?

For long-term diversified stock-market portfolios, 6–8% real return is a common historical range. Actual returns vary — never guaranteed.

Should I include inflation?

The default calculation is nominal. If you want real (inflation-adjusted) growth, subtract your expected inflation rate (e.g. 3%) from the return to model it.

What if I stop contributing?

Set the monthly contribution to $0 to see how the balance grows on its own — it's a good exercise to see the power of your existing balance.

About the Compound Interest Calculator

Compound interest is the single most powerful concept in personal finance. Money you invest earns returns, and those returns then earn their own returns — an exponential curve that quietly transforms modest savings into serious wealth.

The two variables that matter most are time and rate of return. Doubling the monthly contribution helps, but starting five years earlier often helps more.

Use the projection to model any long-term goal — retirement, a child's education, or just building a solid long-term portfolio.

Read the full guide

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These calculators are for education only and are not a substitute for personalized advice from a licensed professional. Read our full disclaimer.

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