About the Future Value Calculator
What is the Future Value Calculator?
The future value (FV) of money is what it will grow to after earning returns for a period. Knowing FV lets you check whether your current savings will meet a future goal.
Enter a starting amount, the expected annual return, the number of years and an optional monthly contribution. The calculator compounds everything monthly and shows the future value, the total invested and the wealth gained.
How to use the Future Value Calculator
- Initial Amount (INR) (sample: 1,00,000)
- Expected Return (% per year) (sample: 10)
- Years (sample: 10)
- Monthly Contribution (INR) (sample: 5,000)
- Press Project Future Value (results also refresh as you type). The result card shows the Future Value, along with Total Invested, Wealth Gained and Expected Return.
Formula used
FV = P × (1 + i)ⁿ + C × ((1 + i)ⁿ − 1) ÷ i
- P = the starting amount
- C = the monthly contribution (made at the end of each month)
- i = the monthly rate = annual return ÷ 12
- n = the number of months
Set the monthly contribution to 0 to find the future value of a lumpsum alone.
Worked example
These are the sample values already filled in the calculator above, and the result it returns for them:
| Input | Sample value |
|---|---|
| Initial Amount (INR) | 1,00,000 |
| Expected Return (% per year) | 10 |
| Years | 10 |
| Monthly Contribution (INR) | 5,000 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Future Value | ₹12,94,929 |
| Total Invested | ₹7,00,000 |
| Wealth Gained | ₹5,94,929 |
| Expected Return | 10% |
Tips for using the Future Value Calculator
- Use a conservative return: overestimating returns is the most common planning mistake.
- Convert the result to today's money by dividing by (1 + inflation)^years.
- Future value and present value are two sides of the same calculation.