Future Value Calculator — Project Your Investment Growth
Calculate the future value of a present sum with compound interest and optional regular payments. See also Present Value Calculator and Compound Interest Calculator.
Payment made at the end of each compounding period
How the Future Value Calculator Works
The future value calculator projects what your money will be worth at a future date based on compound interest. Enter a present value (lump sum), an annual interest rate, a time period, and optionally a regular payment amount. The calculator computes the future value of both the lump sum and the annuity (regular payments), then combines them. This is essential for investment planning, retirement projections, and understanding the growth potential of your savings.
Future Value Formula
FV (lump sum) = PV × (1 + r/n)^(n×t)
FV (annuity) = PMT × [((1 + r/n)^(n×t) − 1) / (r/n)]
FV (total) = FV (lump sum) + FV (annuity)
Where:
PV = Present value, PMT = Regular payment
r = Annual interest rate (decimal)
n = Compounding frequency, t = Years
Growth Factor = (1 + r/n)^(n×t)
Example Calculation
Present Value: $10,000
Annual Rate: 7%, Compounding: Annually
Time: 10 years, No regular payments
FV = $10,000 × (1 + 0.07)^10
FV = $10,000 × 1.9672
FV = $19,671.51
Total Interest = $19,671.51 − $10,000 = $9,671.51
Growth Factor = 1.9672×
Future Value Reference Table
Future value of $10,000 at various rates (compounded annually):
| Rate | 5 Years | 10 Years | 15 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | $11,593 | $13,439 | $15,580 | $18,061 | $24,273 |
| 5% | $12,763 | $16,289 | $20,789 | $26,533 | $43,219 |
| 7% | $14,026 | $19,672 | $27,590 | $38,697 | $76,123 |
| 8% | $14,693 | $21,589 | $31,722 | $46,610 | $100,627 |
| 10% | $16,105 | $25,937 | $41,772 | $67,275 | $174,494 |
| 12% | $17,623 | $31,058 | $54,736 | $96,463 | $299,599 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between future value and present value?
Future value (FV) tells you what today's money will be worth in the future after earning interest. Present value (PV) tells you what future money is worth today after discounting. They are inverse calculations — FV projects forward, PV discounts backward.
How does the growth factor work?
The growth factor is the multiplier applied to your principal. A growth factor of 1.9672 means your money nearly doubles. It equals (1 + r/n)^(n×t). The higher the rate and longer the time, the larger the growth factor. At 7% for 10 years, your money grows by 96.72%.
What is an annuity in future value calculations?
An annuity is a series of equal payments made at regular intervals. In this calculator, the "regular payment" represents an annuity. The future value of an annuity accounts for the fact that earlier payments earn more interest than later ones, creating a compounding effect on the payment stream.
Does compounding frequency matter much?
Yes, but the impact diminishes as frequency increases. Going from annual to monthly compounding makes a noticeable difference. Going from monthly to daily makes a smaller difference. For $10,000 at 7% for 10 years: annually = $19,672, monthly = $20,097, daily = $20,138.