Calculate your investment returns and ROI over time.
Result
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Future Value
Total Invested-
Total Return-
ROI-
Real Value (Inflation Adjusted)-
Total Invested
Total Return
Yearly Breakdown
Year
Invested
Gains
Balance
⚙️ How It Works
An investment calculator projects the future value of an investment given an initial amount, regular contributions, expected annual return, and time horizon. It uses compound growth to show how your portfolio grows over time. The results illustrate the power of starting early and contributing consistently.
FV = PV(1+r)^n + PMT × [((1+r)^n − 1)/r] where PV = present value, r = annual return rate, n = years, PMT = annual contribution
Editorial Standards
Author
BetterProduct Editorial Team
Reviewed by
Checked against standard finance formulas and representative planning scenarios.
Updated
March 2026
Best used for
Budgeting, comparisons, and what-if planning.
Languages checked
7 language editions aligned from the same source formulas.
Use Results Responsibly
Compare at least two scenarios before making a decision.
Keep rates, periods, and fees in the same unit system.
Verify taxes, insurance, and lender-specific rules with official documents.
❓ FAQ
What is a realistic investment return to expect?
The US stock market (S&P 500) has historically returned about 10% annually before inflation, or about 7% after inflation. Individual results vary widely. Diversified index funds are a common way to capture market returns with low fees.
What is dollar-cost averaging?
Dollar-cost averaging means investing a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of market price. When prices are low, you buy more shares; when high, fewer. This reduces the impact of volatility and removes the pressure of timing the market.
What is the difference between stocks and bonds?
Stocks represent ownership in a company and offer higher potential returns with higher risk. Bonds are loans to governments or companies that pay fixed interest with lower risk. A diversified portfolio typically holds both, with the ratio depending on your risk tolerance and time horizon.
What fees should I watch out for?
Investment fees compound just like returns — but against you. A 1% annual fee on a $100,000 portfolio over 30 years costs about $100,000 in lost growth. Look for low-cost index funds with expense ratios under 0.20%.
What is an index fund?
An index fund tracks a market index (like the S&P 500) by holding all or most of its constituent stocks. They offer broad diversification, low costs, and historically outperform most actively managed funds over the long term.