Investment Calculator
Project the future value of an investment with regular contributions, periodic compounding, and an expected rate of return.
Inputs
About Investment Calculator
Realistic rate of return
Enter a nominal return here and let the inflation field do the adjusting. Long-term US stock market: ~10% nominal (~7% after inflation). Balanced 60/40 stock/bond: ~8% nominal. Entering an already-real return alongside a positive inflation rate subtracts inflation twice, so pick one convention or the other.
Nominal vs. real (today's dollars)
The future value is the balance your statement will show. The today's-dollars figure is what that balance will buy at current prices: nominal ÷ (1 + inflation)years. A $1,000,000 portfolio 30 years out, with 3% inflation, buys roughly what $412,000 buys now — so a seven-figure balance is a comfortable retirement, not a lavish one. Flip "Show real (today's dollars)" to swap the headline, and watch the dashed line on the balance chart for the year-by-year version.
Time vs amount
Starting early matters far more than amount. $500/mo for 30 years at 7% becomes ~$610k. $1000/mo for 15 years at 7% becomes only ~$317k. Same total contribution, half the time.
Tax-advantaged accounts
Use 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, HSA to shelter growth from taxes. Each has limits and rules — but the long-term tax savings often exceed any direct return advantage.