Finance
Investment Growth Calculator
See how your investments grow over time with regular contributions and compound returns. View the full yearly breakdown.
Final Balance
$345,742
Total Invested
$130,000
Total Growth
$215,742
Year-by-year breakdown
| Year | Balance | Invested | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| 2 | $24,782 | $22,000 | $2,782 |
| 4 | $42,119 | $34,000 | $8,119 |
| 6 | $62,454 | $46,000 | $16,454 |
| 8 | $86,305 | $58,000 | $28,305 |
| 10 | $114,279 | $70,000 | $44,279 |
| 12 | $147,090 | $82,000 | $65,090 |
| 14 | $185,573 | $94,000 | $91,573 |
| 16 | $230,709 | $106,000 | $124,709 |
| 18 | $283,649 | $118,000 | $165,649 |
| 20 | $345,742 | $130,000 | $215,742 |
Frequently asked questions
What's a realistic rate of return?
The S&P 500 has historically returned about 7-10% annually before inflation (about 5-7% after inflation). For bonds, expect 2-5%. For high-yield savings, 3-5%. Use 7-8% for a moderate stock-heavy portfolio projection.
Does this account for taxes?
No — this shows gross returns before taxes. Investment gains may be subject to capital gains tax (in taxable accounts) or income tax (for short-term holdings). Tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs have different tax treatment.
How does compounding work here?
We compound monthly — each month's return is added to the balance and earns returns in subsequent months. This is more conservative than daily compounding but more accurate than annual compounding for most investment accounts.
What if I stop contributing?
If you stop contributing, the existing balance continues to grow at the same annual rate. You can simulate this by setting the monthly contribution to zero for part of the period by manually adjusting the inputs.
Project how your investments will grow over time with our free investment growth calculator. Enter your initial investment, monthly contributions, expected annual return, and time horizon to see your potential final balance.
View the full yearly breakdown showing how your balance, contributions, and investment growth evolve year by year. Perfect for retirement planning, wealth building, and comparing different savings strategies.