KalkWise
Investing

Investment Growth Calculator

Project your portfolio's value over time with contributions and compound returns.

Updated June 2026 · Editorial standards

Your details

$
$
%
yrs
mos

Enter whole years and any extra months.

Set a goal
Final balance
$548,915
Total contributions
$160,000
Total interest
$388,915

Growth over time

Where your balance comes from

Yearly breakdown

PeriodContributionsInterestBalance
Year 1$6,000$1,055$17,055
Year 2$6,000$1,641$24,695
Year 3$6,000$2,275$32,970
Year 4$6,000$2,961$41,932
Year 5$6,000$3,705$51,637
Year 6$6,000$4,511$62,148
Year 7$6,000$5,383$73,531
Year 8$6,000$6,328$85,859
Year 9$6,000$7,351$99,210
Year 10$6,000$8,459$113,669
Year 11$6,000$9,659$129,329
Year 12$6,000$10,959$146,288

Continue with a related calculator

Compound InterestInvestingFuture ValueInvestingRetirementRetirementSavings GoalSaving
By the KalkWise Editorial Team Reviewed for accuracy Updated June 2026

What is the investment growth calculator?

In short

Investment growth is driven by three things: how much you start with, how much you add over time, and your rate of return. The future portfolio value equals the compounded starting amount plus the future value of all contributions. Starting earlier and contributing regularly usually matter more than chasing higher returns.

This investment growth calculator projects how a portfolio grows from a starting investment plus regular contributions, compounded at your expected rate of return. It separates how much you contributed from how much the market earned.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter your initial investment.
  2. 2Add a regular contribution and its frequency.
  3. 3Set your expected annual return and compounding.
  4. 4Choose the number of years and months.
  5. 5Compare contributions vs. returns in the chart and table.

The formula

FV=P(1+rn)nt+PMT×[(1+rn)nt−1rn]
The first term grows your starting amount; the second term adds up the future value of every contribution. Together they give your final balance.
FV
— Future value (final balance)
P
— Starting principal
PMT
— Periodic contribution
r
— Annual interest rate (decimal)
n
— Compounding periods per year
t
— Number of years

KalkWise simulates each month individually so that contributions, compounding frequency, and partial years are all handled precisely.

Worked example

The scenario

Begin with $10,000, invest $500 monthly, earn 8% for 25 years.

gives

The result

The portfolio grows to about $530,000 — around $160,000 contributed and roughly $370,000 from compound returns.

Common use cases

  • Projecting a brokerage or index-fund portfolio
  • Planning dollar-cost-averaging contributions
  • Comparing how return rate affects long-term wealth
  • Setting realistic long-term investing expectations

Limitations & assumptions

  • Real returns are volatile; this uses a smooth average rate.
  • Excludes taxes, trading fees, and fund expense ratios.
  • Results are nominal and not adjusted for inflation.

Frequently asked questions

The S&P 500 has averaged about 10% nominally (around 7% after inflation). Many planners use 6–8% to stay conservative.

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.