Free calculator
Future value calculator
Estimate future value (FV) from a present lump sum, an optional end-of-month monthly contribution, a nominal annual rate, your horizon in years, and compounding (daily through annual). Results show FV, total contributed, and interest—the same transparent growth path as the compound interest tool, framed here for the FV question. Not a solve-for-unknown engine (use TVM), not tax or inflation modeling—see FAQs.
When to use this calculator
You want a single headline FV with optional monthly savings—fast, copy-friendly, and honest about limits.
- Answer “what could this grow to?” before you paste the same inputs into Google Sheets or Excel.
- Compare compounding choices while holding the same nominal rate and contribution pattern.
- Share a clean FV number in a memo while pointing power users to the TVM tool for solve-for-one work.
- Pair with the compound interest calculator when you need the same math with a schedule-first story.
Future value is the ending balance after your horizon. We grow a starting lump and add equal deposits at the end of each month, using one nominal annual rate converted to a monthly growth factor that respects the compounding frequency you pick—the same closed form as the compound interest calculator on this site.
Monthly growth from the nominal rate
With nominal annual r and m compounding periods per year, each month applies (1 + r/m)^(m/12) on the balance. That matches lump-sum textbook (1 + r/m)^(m·t) when there are no contributions.
Present value (lump)
Your starting amount compounds for N whole months implied by the years you enter (rounded to the nearest month). It stays in the account unless you model withdrawals elsewhere.
End-of-month contributions
Each monthly deposit is added after that month’s growth, matching FV(..., type=0) when payment and compounding calendars align. With growth factor g and i = g − 1, the familiar PV·g^N + PMT·((g^N − 1)/i) form applies when i ≠ 0; at 0%, FV is PV + PMT·N.
What stays out of this page
Beginning-of-period deposits, uneven cash flows, IRR/NPV, tax drag, inflation-adjusted dollars, and solve-for-payment / rate / time are not modeled here—those belong in a spreadsheet or the specialized tools linked below.
Same transparent projection as the compound growth tool—this page leads with the FV headline for searchers who ask that question first. Open the compound interest calculatorfor the same inputs with a schedule-first layout and narrative. Use the TVM calculatorwhen you need to solve for PV, FV, payment, rate, or number of periods with payments-per-year and beginning vs end timing. For SIP-style monthly or quarterly deposits with that product framing, use the SIP calculator. For purchasing power with an inflation rate—not investment growth—use the inflation calculator.
Google Sheets & Excel (FV)
End-of-month contributions match FV(..., type=0) when monthly compounding lines up with monthly payments. FV expects signed cash flows—negate money you invest. For lump-only growth with general compounding m times per year, use the POWER pattern in the second card.
=FV(annualRate/12, years*12, -monthlyPayment, -presentValue, 0)Use 0 for type (payments at end of each month). Put annualRate as a decimal in the sheet (e.g. 0.05 for 5%) or divide a percent cell by 100 inside the call. When compounding is not monthly, rebuild with the same periodic rate logic as your workbook—or use the TVM tool for aligned payment/compounding picks.
=presentValue*POWER(1+annualRatePercent/100/compoundingPerYear, compoundingPerYear*years)compoundingPerYear is 12 for monthly, 4 for quarterly, 365 for daily (when your sheet uses that convention). This is the no-contribution path; add FV when you also have a level monthly stream.
Frequently asked questions
What is future value (FV)?
Future value is how much an amount today—plus any contributions you model—could grow to after compounding for your horizon at the nominal rate you enter. This page shows that ending balance and how much of it came from contributions vs interest.
How is future value different from present value (PV)?
PV is “today’s dollars in front of you.” FV is “dollars at the end of the timeline after growth and deposits.” The TVM calculator on this site can connect the two when you need to discount or solve for one of several variables.
How is this different from the compound interest calculator?
The math path is the same—lump sum, optional monthly deposits at month-end, nominal rate, horizon, compounding. The compound interest page leads with the interest story and schedule; this page leads with the FV headline for people who searched that phrase.
When should I use the TVM calculator instead?
Use TVM when you need to solve for one unknown (payment, rate, periods, PV, or FV) with payments per year and ordinary vs due timing. This FV page always computes FV from the four inputs you see—lighter for a quick headline number.
What about SIP or quarterly deposits?
This page keeps monthly contributions only. For monthly or quarterly systematic plans with that framing, use the SIP calculator on this site.
How do I match this in Google Sheets or Excel FV?
Use =FV(ratePerPeriod, nper, pmt, pv, type) with outflows negative. For monthly deposits and monthly compounding, ratePerPeriod = annualRate/12, nper = years*12, pmt and pv negated as shown in the spreadsheet card, type = 0 for month-end. Small differences can appear if your sheet uses different compounding vs payment alignment.
Do you support simple interest future value?
No in v1—this page uses the same compound path as the rest of the growth tools here. Simple interest is a straight PV + r·PV·t style shortcut; if you need it, build it explicitly in a sheet so reviewers see the assumption.
What if my deposits are at the beginning of each month?
This page models end-of-month deposits only. For beginning-of-period (TYPE=1) or mixed timing, use the TVM calculator or rebuild the timeline in Sheets/Excel where you control each period.
Does this show inflation-adjusted future value?
No. The rate you enter is nominal growth, not CPI. For purchasing power with an inflation percent you supply, use the inflation calculator—then compare stories carefully in your own workbook.
Can I use this for a 401(k) or IRA balance?
The shape (balance plus monthly additions) can resemble a toy illustration, but real accounts have contribution limits, employer match, fees, and tax rules. Use the 401(k) or Roth IRA tools on this site when you want those labels—or treat this page as a generic FV illustration only.
Is this investment advice?
No. It is a free educational calculator. It does not know your goals, constraints, or risk tolerance—talk to a qualified professional when decisions carry money on the line.