Find what a lump sum and regular payments will be worth in the future.
Optional periodic payments
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 | $10,616.78 |
| 2 | $11,271.60 |
| 3 | $11,966.81 |
| 4 | $12,704.89 |
| 5 | $13,488.50 |
| 6 | $14,320.44 |
| 7 | $15,203.70 |
| 8 | $16,141.43 |
| 9 | $17,136.99 |
| 10 | $18,193.97 |
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the Future Value Calculator?
Future value is what a sum or a series of regular payments will grow to at a given interest rate over time.
Time value of money
A dollar today is worth more than a dollar in the future. The present value calculator and the future value calculator translate money across time, and the finance calculator solves any related unknown. Remember that investment returns are never guaranteed.
How to use the Future Value Calculator
- Fill in the fields. You will need Present value / starting amount ($), Interest rate (% per year), Time: years. Use a rate of return you consider realistic; small changes compound into large differences. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Choose your options. Compounding, Payment frequency, Payments at the… change how the result is worked out, and the form updates to match your choice.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Future value, and the cards below show Starting amount, Total payments, Total interest. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the Future Value Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Present value / starting amount ($) | 10,000 |
|---|---|
| Interest rate (% per year) | 6 |
| Time: years | 10 |
| Compounding | Monthly |
| Payment frequency | Monthly |
| Payments at the… | End of each period |
Results
| Future value | $18,193.97 |
|---|---|
| Starting amount | $10,000.00 |
| Total payments | $0.00 |
| Total interest | $8,193.97 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Future value: $18,193.97. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the Future Value Calculator reports Future value, starting amount, total payments and total interest. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Tips for better results
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Investment returns are not guaranteed. The result shows what the numbers you enter would produce, not what the market will do. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does payment timing matter?
Yes. Deposits made at the start of each period earn a little more.
What is the difference between FV and PV?
Present value is the value today; future value is the amount that value grows to later. They are two sides of the same formula.
What rate of return should I assume?
There is no guaranteed rate. Test a range of conservative and optimistic rates, and remember that fees and inflation reduce your real return.
How often does interest compound?
You choose it in the compounding field of this calculator: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannual, annual or continuous.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
Related investment calculators
- Present Value Calculator
- Time Value of Money Calculator
- NPV Calculator – Net Present Value
- Discount Rate Calculator
- Finance Calculator
- Savings Calculator
- Sinking Fund Calculator
- CAGR Calculator (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
- Value at Risk Calculator (VaR)
- Perpetuity Calculator
- Interest Rate Calculator
- Bond Calculator