Future Value Calculator

Calculate the future value of investments with lump sums, regular contributions, or both. Compare ordinary annuities vs annuity due, adjust for inflation, and visualize year-by-year growth.

Future Value

$54,713.58

Total Contributions

$34,000.00

Total Interest Earned

$20,713.58

Growth Multiplier

1.609x

Interest as % of Total

37.86%

Growth Breakdown

Contributions (62%)Interest (38%)

Growth Over Time

$0$11K$22K$33K$44K$55K12345678910YearContributionsInterest Earned
YearBalanceYear Contrib.Year InterestTotal Contrib.Total Interest
1$13,201.42$2,400.00$801.42$12,400.00$801.42
2$16,634.27$2,400.00$1,032.85$14,800.00$1,834.27
3$20,315.28$2,400.00$1,281.01$17,200.00$3,115.28
4$24,262.39$2,400.00$1,547.11$19,600.00$4,662.39
5$28,494.83$2,400.00$1,832.45$22,000.00$6,494.83
6$33,033.24$2,400.00$2,138.41$24,400.00$8,633.24
7$37,899.74$2,400.00$2,466.49$26,800.00$11,099.74
8$43,118.03$2,400.00$2,818.29$29,200.00$13,918.03
9$48,713.55$2,400.00$3,195.52$31,600.00$17,113.55
10$54,713.58$2,400.00$3,600.02$34,000.00$20,713.58

How to Use This Future Value Calculator

Start by selecting a calculation mode. Lump Sum calculates the future value of a single initial investment. Annuity calculates the future value of a series of equal payments with no initial deposit. Both combines an initial investment with regular contributions for the most realistic projection.

Enter your interest rate as an annual percentage. Choose how often interest compounds — monthly compounding is typical for savings accounts, while annually is common for bonds and CDs. Select whether contributions are made at the beginning (annuity due) or end (ordinary annuity) of each period.

Enable the inflation adjustment toggle to see your future value in today's dollars. The default 3% inflation rate reflects the long-term U.S. average, but you can adjust it based on your expectations.

The year-by-year table and stacked chart break down exactly how much of your future balance comes from contributions versus interest earned, helping you see the power of compound growth accelerate over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is future value and why does it matter?+
Future value (FV) is the projected worth of an investment at a specific point in the future, based on a given rate of return. It matters because it helps you understand how much your savings or investments will grow over time, enabling better financial planning for goals like retirement, education, or major purchases.
What is the difference between an ordinary annuity and an annuity due?+
An ordinary annuity makes payments at the end of each period (e.g., most bond coupon payments), while an annuity due makes payments at the beginning of each period (e.g., rent or insurance premiums). An annuity due grows slightly more because each payment has one extra period to earn interest.
How does compounding frequency affect future value?+
More frequent compounding (monthly vs. annually) produces a higher future value because interest begins earning interest sooner. For example, $10,000 at 6% compounded monthly yields more than 6% compounded annually over the same period. The difference becomes more pronounced at higher rates and longer time horizons.
What is the future value formula for a lump sum?+
The future value of a lump sum is calculated as FV = PV x (1 + r/n)^(n*t), where PV is the present value, r is the annual interest rate, n is the number of compounding periods per year, and t is the number of years. This formula accounts for compound interest on the initial investment.
Why should I adjust future value for inflation?+
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. A dollar today buys more than a dollar 20 years from now. Adjusting for inflation (using the real rate of return) shows your investment's future value in today's purchasing power, giving you a more realistic picture of what your money will actually be worth.
What is a growth multiplier?+
The growth multiplier shows how many times your total contributions have multiplied through compound interest. For example, a growth multiplier of 1.5x means your investment grew to 1.5 times what you put in. A multiplier above 2x means you earned more in interest than you contributed.

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Future Value Calculator — free online future value calculator, FV calculator, annuity calculator, investment growth calculator, time value of money calculator, future value of annuity, lump sum investment calculator, compound growth calculator. No signup required. Works in your browser.