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Investment Calculator

With the Investment Calculator you can determine any single variable of a financial plan. Each tab corresponds to the variable you wish to solve for. For instance, if you need the required rate of return to achieve a target amount given your inputs, select the 'Return Rate' tab.

Accumulation Schedule

Month	Deposit	Interest	Ending balance
1	$21,000.00	$97.35	$21,097.35
2	$1,000.00	$102.69	$22,200.04
3	$1,000.00	$108.06	$23,308.10
4	$1,000.00	$113.45	$24,421.56
5	$1,000.00	$118.87	$25,540.43
6	$1,000.00	$124.32	$26,664.75
7	$1,000.00	$129.79	$27,794.54
8	$1,000.00	$135.29	$28,929.83
9	$1,000.00	$140.82	$30,070.65
10	$1,000.00	$146.37	$31,217.02
11	$1,000.00	$151.95	$32,368.97
12	$1,000.00	$157.56	$33,526.53
End of year 1
13	$1,000.00	$163.19	$34,689.72
14	$1,000.00	$168.85	$35,858.57
15	$1,000.00	$174.54	$37,033.12
16	$1,000.00	$180.26	$38,213.38
17	$1,000.00	$186.01	$39,399.38
18	$1,000.00	$191.78	$40,591.16
19	$1,000.00	$197.58	$41,788.74
20	$1,000.00	$203.41	$42,992.15
21	$1,000.00	$209.27	$44,201.42
22	$1,000.00	$215.15	$45,416.57
23	$1,000.00	$221.07	$46,637.64
24	$1,000.00	$227.01	$47,864.65
End of year 2
25	$1,000.00	$232.98	$49,097.63
26	$1,000.00	$238.99	$50,336.62
27	$1,000.00	$245.02	$51,581.63
28	$1,000.00	$251.08	$52,832.71
29	$1,000.00	$257.17	$54,089.88
30	$1,000.00	$263.29	$55,353.16
31	$1,000.00	$269.43	$56,622.59
32	$1,000.00	$275.61	$57,898.21
33	$1,000.00	$281.82	$59,180.03
34	$1,000.00	$288.06	$60,468.09
35	$1,000.00	$294.33	$61,762.42
36	$1,000.00	$300.63	$63,063.06
End of year 3
37	$1,000.00	$306.96	$64,370.02
38	$1,000.00	$313.32	$65,683.34
39	$1,000.00	$319.72	$67,003.06
40	$1,000.00	$326.14	$68,329.20
41	$1,000.00	$332.60	$69,661.80
42	$1,000.00	$339.08	$71,000.88
43	$1,000.00	$345.60	$72,346.48
44	$1,000.00	$352.15	$73,698.63
45	$1,000.00	$358.73	$75,057.36
46	$1,000.00	$365.35	$76,422.71
47	$1,000.00	$371.99	$77,794.70
48	$1,000.00	$378.67	$79,173.37
End of year 4
49	$1,000.00	$385.38	$80,558.75
50	$1,000.00	$392.12	$81,950.87
51	$1,000.00	$398.90	$83,349.77
52	$1,000.00	$405.71	$84,755.48
53	$1,000.00	$412.55	$86,168.03
54	$1,000.00	$419.43	$87,587.46
55	$1,000.00	$426.34	$89,013.80
56	$1,000.00	$433.28	$90,447.08
57	$1,000.00	$440.26	$91,887.33
58	$1,000.00	$447.27	$93,334.60
59	$1,000.00	$454.31	$94,788.91
60	$1,000.00	$461.39	$96,250.30
End of year 5
61	$1,000.00	$468.50	$97,718.80
62	$1,000.00	$475.65	$99,194.45
63	$1,000.00	$482.83	$100,677.29
64	$1,000.00	$490.05	$102,167.34
65	$1,000.00	$497.30	$103,664.64
66	$1,000.00	$504.59	$105,169.24
67	$1,000.00	$511.92	$106,681.15
68	$1,000.00	$519.28	$108,200.43
69	$1,000.00	$526.67	$109,727.10
70	$1,000.00	$534.10	$111,261.20
71	$1,000.00	$541.57	$112,802.77
72	$1,000.00	$549.07	$114,351.84
End of year 6
73	$1,000.00	$556.61	$115,908.46
74	$1,000.00	$564.19	$117,472.65
75	$1,000.00	$571.80	$119,044.45
76	$1,000.00	$579.45	$120,623.91
77	$1,000.00	$587.14	$122,211.05
78	$1,000.00	$594.87	$123,805.92
79	$1,000.00	$602.63	$125,408.55
80	$1,000.00	$610.43	$127,018.98
81	$1,000.00	$618.27	$128,637.25
82	$1,000.00	$626.15	$130,263.40
83	$1,000.00	$634.06	$131,897.47
84	$1,000.00	$642.02	$133,539.48
End of year 7
85	$1,000.00	$650.01	$135,189.49
86	$1,000.00	$658.04	$136,847.53
87	$1,000.00	$666.11	$138,513.65
88	$1,000.00	$674.22	$140,187.87
89	$1,000.00	$682.37	$141,870.24
90	$1,000.00	$690.56	$143,560.80
91	$1,000.00	$698.79	$145,259.59
92	$1,000.00	$707.06	$146,966.65
93	$1,000.00	$715.37	$148,682.02
94	$1,000.00	$723.72	$150,405.73
95	$1,000.00	$732.11	$152,137.84
96	$1,000.00	$740.54	$153,878.38
End of year 8
97	$1,000.00	$749.01	$155,627.39
98	$1,000.00	$757.52	$157,384.92
99	$1,000.00	$766.08	$159,150.99
100	$1,000.00	$774.68	$160,925.67
101	$1,000.00	$783.31	$162,708.98
102	$1,000.00	$791.99	$164,500.98
103	$1,000.00	$800.72	$166,301.69
104	$1,000.00	$809.48	$168,111.18
105	$1,000.00	$818.29	$169,929.47
106	$1,000.00	$827.14	$171,756.61
107	$1,000.00	$836.03	$173,592.64
108	$1,000.00	$844.97	$175,437.61
End of year 9
109	$1,000.00	$853.95	$177,291.56
110	$1,000.00	$862.98	$179,154.54
111	$1,000.00	$872.04	$181,026.58
112	$1,000.00	$881.16	$182,907.74
113	$1,000.00	$890.31	$184,798.05
114	$1,000.00	$899.51	$186,697.56
115	$1,000.00	$908.76	$188,606.32
116	$1,000.00	$918.05	$190,524.38
117	$1,000.00	$927.39	$192,451.76
118	$1,000.00	$936.77	$194,388.53
119	$1,000.00	$946.20	$196,334.73
120	$1,000.00	$955.67	$198,290.40
End of year 10

Year	Deposit	Interest	Ending balance
1	$32,000.00	$1,526.53	$33,526.53
2	$12,000.00	$2,338.12	$47,864.65
3	$12,000.00	$3,198.41	$63,063.06
4	$12,000.00	$4,110.31	$79,173.37
5	$12,000.00	$5,076.93	$96,250.30
6	$12,000.00	$6,101.55	$114,351.84
7	$12,000.00	$7,187.64	$133,539.48
8	$12,000.00	$8,338.90	$153,878.38
9	$12,000.00	$9,559.23	$175,437.61
10	$12,000.00	$10,852.79	$198,290.40

Investing means allocating capital with the expectation of profit. This calculator assists in solving for any of the numerous parameters associated with investments that assume a constant return rate.

Variables involved

For any typical financial investment, there are four crucial elements that make up the investment.

Return rate — The key figure for most investors. Though it looks like a simple percentage, it serves as the definitive metric for weighing the appeal of different financial products.
Starting amount — Also known as the principal, this is the capital you begin with. In real‑world terms it might represent savings earmarked for a house, an inheritance, or the purchase price of a gold stash.
End amount – The desired amount at the end of the life of the investment.
Investment length — The duration over which the money remains invested. Typically, a longer horizon introduces more uncertainty, yet each additional period allows returns to compound, potentially boosting the payoff.
Additional contribution — Often called an annuity payment, this isn’t mandatory, but any extra cash added during the term will increase the accumulated return and raise the final balance.

Different Types of Investments

The Investment Calculator applies to virtually any investment that can be expressed using the variables above. Below are a few typical examples, though the range of possibilities extends far beyond this short list.

CDs

One straightforward case for the calculator is a certificate of deposit (CD), which most banks offer. CDs are low‑risk; in the United States they are protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), guaranteeing deposits up to the statutory limit. They provide a fixed interest rate for a set term, making the expected return and duration easy to calculate. Generally, the longer the funds stay in a CD, the higher the interest earned. Comparable low‑risk options include savings accounts and money‑market accounts, both of which usually offer modest rates. For CD‑specific calculations, try our CD Calculator.

Bonds

Risk plays a central role in bond investing. Higher risk usually demands a premium. For example, purchasing bonds from companies that rating agencies such as Moody’s, Fitch, or Standard & Poor’s label as high‑risk can yield attractive interest rates, but those issuers may default, potentially causing a loss of principal.

Conversely, selecting bonds from issuers with strong credit ratings—deemed low‑risk by the same agencies—offers greater safety, though the interest paid is typically lower. Bonds can be held for short or extended periods.

Investors who trade bonds over a brief horizon aim to purchase when prices are depressed and sell after they rise, instead of keeping the bond until it matures. Bond valuations usually fall when interest rates climb and climb when rates decline. Variations in supply and demand across the bond market also create short‑term arbitrage chances.

A more cautious strategy is to retain bonds to their maturity date. This provides periodic coupon payments—typically semi‑annually—and returns the principal at the end. When you adopt a long‑term buying plan, you need not obsess over short‑term price swings caused by rate movements. Only if you decide to liquidate should you reconsider the plan.

One distinctive type of U.S. government bond is the Treasury Inflation‑Protected Security, or TIPS. These securities shield investors from inflation and deliver a return that is effectively guaranteed by the federal government. Though their yields are modest compared with other fixed‑income products, TIPS adjust principal in line with the Consumer Price Index, ensuring the investment keeps pace with price changes. Learn more on our Inflation Calculator.

Stocks

Stocks, also known as equities, are a widely‑used investment class. While they don’t offer a fixed interest, they represent a core component of portfolios for both institutional and individual investors.

A share represents a fractional ownership stake in a corporation, giving the holder a claim on profits that is usually paid out as dividends while the company distributes them. Shares trade on exchanges, and many investors aim to buy low and sell high. Some prefer pooled vehicles such as mutual funds or other stock‑based funds, which are managed by professional investment firms for a management fee, often called a "load". Exchange‑Traded Funds (ETFs) are another option; they track an index, sector, commodity or other asset class and can be bought and sold on an exchange just like individual stocks. ETFs may follow the S&P 500, real‑estate indices, commodity baskets, bond markets, and more.

Real Estate

Real estate remains a popular asset class, with many investors purchasing residential properties—houses or apartments—to either flip for a profit or rent out until a more advantageous sale opportunity arises. For detailed calculations, see our comprehensive Rental Property Calculator. Land can also be acquired and enhanced to increase its value. For those who prefer a hands‑off approach, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer a way to own income‑producing properties through a company or fund. Property values tend to rise due to factors such as neighborhood revitalization, new developments nearby, or broader macro‑economic trends.

Investing in real estate takes many forms, and we provide a range of real‑estate calculators to assist you.

Commodities

Commodities span precious metals like gold and silver to energy products such as oil and natural gas. Gold’s price is driven largely by its scarcity and status as a store of value, making it a common hedge during economic turmoil; geopolitical tensions often push investors toward gold, raising its price. Silver’s value is more linked to industrial demand—from solar panels to automotive applications. Oil remains in high demand because gasoline consumption stays robust, and its price fluctuates on global market conditions. Natural‑gas exposure typically comes via futures contracts traded on exchanges such as the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), where participants can enter and exit positions before physical delivery.

Although our Investment Calculator can handle virtually any of the asset types mentioned above, the real challenge lies in selecting accurate input figures. For example, you might base the "Return Rate" on recent historical averages for comparable homes or on projected future appreciation, each leading to different outcomes. Similarly, you could decide whether to include all capital outlays or only specific cash‑flow streams when entering "Additional Contribution" for a factory purchase. Because of these ambiguities, no single "correct" set of inputs exists, and the results should be viewed as indicative. For more tailored analysis, explore our other financial calculators to see if a specialized tool better fits your needs before using the general Investment Calculator.

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