Future Value Calculator
Work out what money grows to over time. Combine a starting amount with regular payments, choose how often interest compounds and whether you pay at the start or end of each period, and see the growth year by year.
Added each period. Use 0 for none, negative for withdrawals.
How to use the Future Value Calculator
- Enter the present value: the amount you start with (0 if none).
- Add a periodic payment and how often you make it.
- Set the annual rate, years and compounding.
- Choose the payment timing: end of period (most loans and savings plans) or beginning (annuity due).
- Press Calculate to see the future value, the breakdown and the yearly table.
Future value formulas
- Lump sum: FV = PV × (1 + r/m)m·t, or FV = PV × er·t with continuous compounding.
- Regular payments (ordinary annuity): FV = PMT × [(1 + i)n − 1] ÷ i
- Annuity due: multiply the payment part by (1 + i), because each payment earns one more period of interest.
- Total: FV = FV of the lump sum + FV of the payments.
Example: $300 at the end of every month for 30 years at 7% compounded monthly grows to $365,991.30, from $108,000.00 of payments.
Growth factor table
How much $1 grows to with annual compounding. Multiply by your starting amount.
| Years | 3% | 5% | 7% | 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.0300 | 1.0500 | 1.0700 | 1.1000 |
| 5 | 1.1593 | 1.2763 | 1.4026 | 1.6105 |
| 10 | 1.3439 | 1.6289 | 1.9672 | 2.5937 |
| 20 | 1.8061 | 2.6533 | 3.8697 | 6.7275 |
| 30 | 2.4273 | 4.3219 | 7.6123 | 17.4494 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the future value formula?
For a single amount, FV = PV × (1 + r/m)^(m×t), where r is the annual rate, m the compounding periods per year and t the years. With regular payments, add PMT × [(1 + i)^n − 1] ÷ i, where i is the rate per payment period and n the number of payments.
What is the difference between an ordinary annuity and an annuity due?
In an ordinary annuity each payment is made at the end of the period; in an annuity due it is made at the start. An annuity due earns one extra period of interest on every payment, so its future value is (1 + i) times higher.
What if payments and compounding happen at different frequencies?
The calculator converts the annual rate into the equivalent rate per payment period: i = (1 + r/m)^(m/p) − 1, where p is the number of payments per year. This keeps the result exact for any combination.
How much does compounding frequency matter?
More frequent compounding gives slightly more interest. At 6% a year, annual compounding gives an effective rate of 6.00%, monthly 6.17% and continuous 6.18%. The difference grows with the rate and the number of years.
Can I use negative payments?
Yes. A negative payment models regular withdrawals from the balance. If the result turns negative, the withdrawals use up the money before the end of the period.
Does the future value include inflation?
No, the result is in future (nominal) dollars. To see it in today's money, divide by (1 + inflation)^years, or use the Inflation Calculator.