Investment Compound Interest Calculator
Use this calculator to determine the future value of your investments with monthly contributions and compound interest.
Understanding Compound Interest in Investments
Compound interest is often referred to as the "eighth wonder of the world" because of its ability to grow wealth exponentially over time. Unlike simple interest, which is calculated only on the principal amount, compound interest is calculated on the principal plus the accumulated interest from previous periods.
This Investment Compound Interest Calculator helps you project how much your portfolio could grow by factoring in your initial lump sum, regular monthly contributions, and an estimated annual rate of return.
How the Calculation Works
The math behind this calculator assumes that your interest is compounded monthly and that your contributions are made at the end of each month. The formula used combines the future value of a lump sum with the future value of a series of annuity payments:
A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) + PMT × [((1 + r/n)^(nt) – 1) / (r/n)]
Where:
A = Future Value
P = Initial Principal
PMT = Monthly Contribution
r = Annual Interest Rate (decimal)
n = Number of times interest compounds per year (12)
t = Number of years
Real-World Example
Let's look at a realistic scenario to understand the power of consistent investing:
- Initial Investment: $10,000
- Monthly Contribution: $500
- Interest Rate: 8% (Historical average of stock market index funds)
- Time Horizon: 30 years
After 30 years, your total contributions would be just $190,000 ($10k initial + $180k monthly). However, thanks to compound interest, your Future Portfolio Value would be approximately $856,000. That is over $660,000 in pure interest earnings.
Why Start Early?
Time is the most critical factor in compounding. Even small contributions can grow into significant sums if given enough time to compound. Delaying your investment journey by even 5 or 10 years can drastically reduce your potential returns, requiring much larger monthly contributions to catch up to the same goal.