Estimate how a starting amount and recurring deposits may grow over time. Enter the rate, periods, payment amount, and payment timing to see future value, interest, and a readable growth schedule.
Inputs
Starting Amount, Deposits, Rate, and Periods
Future value$0
Results update automatically.
Starting amount$0
Total deposits$0
Total interest$0
Payment timingEnd
Balance Breakdown
Starting$0
Deposits$0
Interest$0
Formula Used
FV = PV x (1 + r)^n + PMT x [((1 + r)^n - 1) / r].
Growth schedule
Period-by-Period Growth
The table shows how the balance changes each period so the result is easier to inspect. For very long terms, the chart and table show a readable summary of the first periods, last period, and selected milestones.
Starting amountDepositsInterest
Period
Start balance
Deposit
Interest
End balance
Method
How This Future Value Calculator Works
Future value projects money forward. The calculator compounds the starting amount for the selected number of periods, then adds the future value of each periodic deposit. If deposits happen at the beginning of each period, each deposit receives one extra period of compounding.
The rate must match the period. If you enter monthly periods, use a monthly rate. If you enter annual periods, use an annual rate. The calculator does not automatically convert annual rates to monthly rates because users may be modeling different compounding intervals.
Future Value Formula
Starting amountFV of PV = PV x (1 + r)n
Projects the current starting amount forward.
End-period depositsFV of PMT = PMT x [((1 + r)n - 1) / r]
Projects equal deposits made at the end of each period.
Beginning-period depositsFV due = ordinary FV x (1 + r)
Adds one extra compounding period for each deposit.
Use cases
When Future Value Is Useful
Savings goals
Estimate how much a starting balance and recurring deposits may become over time.
Investment scenarios
Compare conservative, moderate, and optimistic return assumptions without treating them as guarantees.
Education or retirement planning
Understand how time and recurring contributions can affect long-term balances.
Deposit timing decisions
See why contributing earlier in each period can improve projected growth.
Example
Future Value Example
With a $1,000 starting amount, $100 deposited at the end of each period, 10 periods, and a 6% rate per period, the future value is about $3,108.93. That includes $1,000 of starting money, $1,000 of deposits, and about $1,108.93 of interest growth.
If the $100 deposits are made at the beginning of each period instead, each deposit compounds for one extra period, which raises the ending value.
Future Value vs. Present Value
Future value moves money forward in time. Present value moves future money back to today's value. Use the Present Value Calculator when you need to discount a future payout or payment stream back to today.
Future value is the estimated amount money may grow to after earning a rate of return for a certain number of periods.
How do I calculate future value?
Compound the starting amount by the rate and periods, then add the compounded value of any recurring deposits. The calculator performs both parts automatically.
Should I use annual or monthly periods?
Use whichever period matches your assumptions. If you enter 120 monthly periods, use a monthly rate. If you enter 10 annual periods, use an annual rate.
Why does deposit timing change the result?
A deposit made at the beginning of a period compounds for longer than a deposit made at the end of that period, so beginning-period deposits usually create a higher future value.
Is future value the same as compound interest?
Future value is the ending balance after compounding. Compound interest is the growth component created by interest earning interest.
Can this calculator be used for investments?
Yes, for simple scenario planning. It does not predict market returns and does not include volatility, fees, taxes, inflation, or changing contribution amounts unless you include those effects in your assumptions.
What if the interest rate is zero?
If the rate is zero, future value is simply the starting amount plus total deposits. The calculator handles this case separately.
What is the difference between future value and present value?
Future value estimates what money may become later. Present value estimates what future money is worth today.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for general informational purposes and simple arithmetic checks. It is not financial, investment, tax, accounting, legal, or retirement advice. Actual results may differ because of market performance, inflation, fees, taxes, timing, and other factors.