Future Value Calculator

Project the future value of an initial amount plus regular contributions. Compare total deposits, compound growth, effective annual return, and inflation-adjusted purchasing power.

Initial amountmoney Enter an amount of zero or more

Currency

Annual nominal rate% An estimate, not a guaranteed investment return. Enter a rate above −100%

Time horizonyears Enter a whole number from 1 to 100

Compounding frequency

Regular contributionmoney Enter a contribution of zero or more

Contribution frequency

Contribution timing

Expected inflation% / year Used only to estimate purchasing power in today’s money. Enter an inflation rate above −100%

Calculation Results

Projected future value

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Projection assumes a constant rate and regular contributions.

How to project future value

Enter the amount already invested

Use zero if you are starting with contributions only. The initial amount begins compounding immediately.

Set a rate and compounding frequency

The annual rate is treated as nominal and divided by the selected number of compounding periods per year.

Add regular contributions

Choose how often contributions occur and whether each deposit is made at the beginning or end of its contribution period.

Compare nominal and real value

The inflation-adjusted result expresses the projected balance in today’s purchasing power using the inflation rate you enter.

Future value formulas

The initial amount uses compound growth. Regular deposits use the future value of an ordinary annuity when paid at period end and an annuity due when paid at period beginning.

Initial FV = PV × (1 + r ÷ n)ⁿᵗ

Contribution FV = PMT × [((1 + i)ᴺ − 1) ÷ i]

Beginning-period contribution FV = Ordinary contribution FV × (1 + i)

Inflation-adjusted FV = Nominal FV ÷ (1 + inflation)ᵗ

Here, n is compounding periods per year, N is total contribution periods, and i is the effective rate for one contribution period. When contribution and compounding frequencies differ, the calculator derives an equivalent rate for each contribution period.

Compound-growth examples

Future value of $10,000 with annual compounding and no additional contributions.

Annual rate	Years	Future value	Growth
5%	10	$16,288.95	$6,288.95
7%	10	$19,671.51	$9,671.51
7%	20	$38,696.84	$28,696.84
10%	20	$67,275.00	$57,275.00

Methodology, assumptions and sources

The projection assumes constant rates, evenly spaced contributions, no withdrawals, and no taxes or fees. It maintains full precision during calculation and rounds only displayed amounts. The contribution formula handles a zero interest rate separately to avoid division by zero.

Sources:

U.S. SEC Investor.gov — Compound Interest Calculator — initial investment, contributions, time, rate, and compounding framework.
OpenStax — Compound Interest — lump-sum future value formula.
OpenStax — Annuities — ordinary-annuity and annuity-due timing.

Last reviewed: August 2026. This is an educational projection, not a promise of returns or investment advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is future value?

Future value is the amount a present sum and any later contributions could grow to after applying an assumed rate for a stated period.

What changes when contributions are made at the beginning of each period?

Each contribution receives one additional period of growth, so an annuity due has a higher future value than the same deposits made at period end when the return is positive.

Can I use a negative annual rate?

Yes, provided the periodic growth factor remains positive. A negative rate models loss of value, so projected growth may be negative.

Does the inflation-adjusted value predict actual purchasing power?

It is an estimate based on a constant inflation rate. Actual inflation varies over time and personal spending patterns may not match a broad inflation measure.