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Investment Growth

Investment Return Calculator

Project the future value of a lump sum or recurring investment at a given rate of return.

Calculator inputs
$
$
%
yrs

Projected value

$280,657

After 20 years

Total invested

$125,000

Total gains

$155,657

Key insight

Total invested
$125,000
Investment gains
$155,657
Value from gains
55.46%
  • Initial Investment
  • Contributions
  • Investment Growth
$280,65701020Year 0: Value $5,000, Total invested $5,000, Total gains $0Year 0Value: $5,000Total invested: $5,000Total gains: $0Year 1: Value $11,558, Total invested $11,000, Total gains $558Year 1Value: $11,558Total invested: $11,000Total gains: $558Year 2: Value $18,590, Total invested $17,000, Total gains $1,590Year 2Value: $18,590Total invested: $17,000Total gains: $1,590Year 3: Value $26,130, Total invested $23,000, Total gains $3,130Year 3Value: $26,130Total invested: $23,000Total gains: $3,130Year 4: Value $34,215, Total invested $29,000, Total gains $5,215Year 4Value: $34,215Total invested: $29,000Total gains: $5,215Year 5: Value $42,885, Total invested $35,000, Total gains $7,885Year 5Value: $42,885Total invested: $35,000Total gains: $7,885Year 6: Value $52,181, Total invested $41,000, Total gains $11,181Year 6Value: $52,181Total invested: $41,000Total gains: $11,181Year 7: Value $62,149, Total invested $47,000, Total gains $15,149Year 7Value: $62,149Total invested: $47,000Total gains: $15,149Year 8: Value $72,839, Total invested $53,000, Total gains $19,839Year 8Value: $72,839Total invested: $53,000Total gains: $19,839Year 9: Value $84,300, Total invested $59,000, Total gains $25,300Year 9Value: $84,300Total invested: $59,000Total gains: $25,300Year 10: Value $96,591, Total invested $65,000, Total gains $31,591Year 10Value: $96,591Total invested: $65,000Total gains: $31,591Year 11: Value $109,770, Total invested $71,000, Total gains $38,770Year 11Value: $109,770Total invested: $71,000Total gains: $38,770Year 12: Value $123,901, Total invested $77,000, Total gains $46,901Year 12Value: $123,901Total invested: $77,000Total gains: $46,901Year 13: Value $139,054, Total invested $83,000, Total gains $56,054Year 13Value: $139,054Total invested: $83,000Total gains: $56,054Year 14: Value $155,303, Total invested $89,000, Total gains $66,303Year 14Value: $155,303Total invested: $89,000Total gains: $66,303Year 15: Value $172,726, Total invested $95,000, Total gains $77,726Year 15Value: $172,726Total invested: $95,000Total gains: $77,726Year 16: Value $191,409, Total invested $101,000, Total gains $90,409Year 16Value: $191,409Total invested: $101,000Total gains: $90,409Year 17: Value $211,442, Total invested $107,000, Total gains $104,442Year 17Value: $211,442Total invested: $107,000Total gains: $104,442Year 18: Value $232,923, Total invested $113,000, Total gains $119,923Year 18Value: $232,923Total invested: $113,000Total gains: $119,923Year 19: Value $255,958, Total invested $119,000, Total gains $136,958Year 19Value: $255,958Total invested: $119,000Total gains: $136,958Year 20: Value $280,657, Total invested $125,000, Total gains $155,657Year 20Value: $280,657Total invested: $125,000Total gains: $155,657
Year-by-year growth
YearInvestedGainsValue
1$11,000$558$11,558
2$17,000$1,590$18,590
3$23,000$3,130$26,130
4$29,000$5,215$34,215
5$35,000$7,885$42,885
6$41,000$11,181$52,181
7$47,000$15,149$62,149
8$53,000$19,839$72,839
9$59,000$25,300$84,300
10$65,000$31,591$96,591
11$71,000$38,770$109,770
12$77,000$46,901$123,901
13$83,000$56,054$139,054
14$89,000$66,303$155,303
15$95,000$77,726$172,726
16$101,000$90,409$191,409
17$107,000$104,442$211,442
18$113,000$119,923$232,923
19$119,000$136,958$255,958
20$125,000$155,657$280,657

How it's calculated

Formula

FV = P(1 + r/12)^(12t) + PMT · [((1 + r/12)^(12t) − 1) / (r/12)]

How it works

This is the future value of an investment with regular contributions. The first term grows your initial investment at the monthly return (r/12) for every month in the period (12t). The second term is the future value of your recurring contributions — each deposit compounds for the months remaining after it's made, and the bracket totals them up. Added together, they give the projected value.

Variables

FV
Projected future value
P
Initial investment
PMT
Monthly contribution
r
Annual return (decimal form). Example: 7% = 0.07
t
Years invested

Worked example

Initial Investment $5,000 Monthly Contribution $500 Expected Annual Return 7% Years 20 Monthly Return 7% ÷ 12 = 0.5833% (0.005833) Total Months 20 × 12 = 240 Total Invested $5,000 + ($500 × 240) = $125,000 Projected Value FV = 5,000 × (1.005833)^240 + 500 × [((1.005833)^240 − 1) / 0.005833] FV ≈ $280,657 Result Investing $500 a month on top of $5,000 for 20 years at 7% could grow to about $280,657 — roughly $155,657 of it from investment gains.

Frequently asked questions

What return should I assume?

A common long-run assumption for a diversified stock portfolio is 6–8% before inflation, but returns vary widely year to year and aren't guaranteed. Model a conservative and an optimistic rate.

How often are contributions added?

Monthly. Each contribution is invested at month-end and compounds for the remaining months, which matches most automatic investing plans.

Does this include inflation?

No. The projected value is in nominal dollars. Use the Inflation calculator to translate it into today's purchasing power.

Does it account for taxes or fees?

No. To approximate a net result, subtract your fund's expense ratio from the expected return; taxes depend on the account type and your situation.

Why do gains overtake contributions over time?

Early on, most of your balance is money you put in. As returns compound, growth builds on growth — so in long horizons investment gains often become the largest share of the balance.

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