Future Value Calculator
Calculate what your money will be worth in the future at any interest rate.
Growth Over Time
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Request a ToolHow to Use the Future Value Calculator
This calculator shows you exactly what a lump sum of money will be worth at a future date, given a specific interest rate and compounding schedule. Here is how to get started:
- Enter your present value. This is the amount of money you have today or plan to invest as a lump sum. It could be a savings balance, an inheritance, or any starting amount.
- Set the annual interest rate. Enter the rate of return you expect. For stock market investments, 7% (inflation-adjusted) is a common long-term estimate. Savings accounts and bonds will be lower. Adjust based on your investment type.
- Choose the number of years. Enter how far into the future you want to project. The longer the time period, the more dramatic the growth from compounding.
- Pick a compounding frequency. Annually is the simplest and most common for basic projections. Monthly or quarterly compounding produces slightly higher returns. Choose the frequency that matches your investment type.
Results update instantly as you type. The growth comparison table below shows your future value at 5-year intervals so you can see how time affects your returns. Use the Share button to send a pre-filled link, or Copy to grab the result.
About Future Value
Future value is a core concept in finance that answers a simple question: what will a specific amount of money be worth at a later date, assuming it earns a given rate of return? The formula is FV = PV * (1 + r/n)^(n*t), where PV is the present value, r is the annual rate, n is the compounding frequency, and t is the number of years.
Understanding future value helps with retirement planning, comparing investment options, and setting savings goals. It also illustrates why starting early matters so much. The difference between investing for 20 years vs. 30 years is not 50% more growth, it is often double or more, because compounding accelerates over time.
All calculations run entirely in your browser. We never see or store your financial data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is future value?
Future value is the projected worth of a current sum of money at a specific point in the future, assuming it earns a certain rate of return over time. For example, $10,000 invested at 7% annually will be worth about $38,697 after 20 years. The calculation accounts for compound interest, where you earn returns not just on your original investment but also on previously earned interest.
How does compounding frequency affect future value?
More frequent compounding produces a slightly higher future value because interest is calculated and added to the principal more often. For example, $10,000 at 7% for 20 years compounded annually gives $38,697, while monthly compounding gives $40,387. The difference grows with higher rates and longer time periods, but for most practical purposes the gap between annual and monthly compounding is modest.
What is a realistic growth rate to use?
It depends on the investment type. High-yield savings accounts currently offer 4-5%. The S&P 500 has averaged roughly 10% nominal (about 7% after inflation) over the past century. Bonds and CDs typically return 3-6%. For long-term planning, using an inflation-adjusted rate (like 7% for stocks) gives a more realistic picture of future purchasing power. Always use conservative estimates when planning.
What is the difference between future value and compound interest?
Future value is the total amount your money will be worth at a specific point in the future. Compound interest is the mechanism that gets it there. Compound interest refers to the process of earning interest on both the original principal and accumulated interest. Future value is the end result of that process. A compound interest calculator typically includes regular contributions, while a future value calculator focuses on the growth of a single lump sum.