How to calculate future value with the Future Value Calculator
Set the starting amount, deposit schedule, rate, and term before you calculate. The result separates the growth of Present value ($) from the growth of Contribution per period ($), then shows Future value, Total money in, Total interest / growth earned, the formula, assumptions, and the schedule.
- Enter Present value ($) and Contribution per period ($). At least one must be greater than 0.
- Choose Contribution timing: Beginning of each period or End of each period.
- Enter Annual interest rate (%) and Term, then select Years or Months for Term unit.
- Select a Compounding / contribution frequency. The same choice sets when interest compounds and contributions are added.
- Click Calculate to show the result. Click Reset to clear the inputs and result.
Read the result for a monthly example
These inputs use monthly compounding and a contribution at the end of each period.
Present value ($): 10000
Contribution per period ($): 200
Annual interest rate (%): 6.5
Term: 20 Years
Compounding / contribution frequency: Monthly (12/year)
Contribution timing: End of each period
Future value: $60,258.92The 20-year term becomes 240 periods. The growth schedule then shows Period, Contribution, Interest earned, and Balance for each displayed period.
How contribution timing changes the formula
The calculator uses FV = PV x (1 + i)^N + PMT x [((1 + i)^N - 1) / i] x (1 + i x d). PV is Present value ($), PMT is Contribution per period ($), i is the annual rate divided by periods per year, and N is the rounded period count. d is 1 for Beginning of each period and 0 for End of each period.
With Beginning of each period, the contribution is added before that period's interest is calculated. Each contribution therefore gets one additional period of growth. At a zero periodic rate, the contribution part becomes PMT x N. The frequency choices are Annually (1/year), Semi-annually (2/year), Quarterly (4/year), Monthly (12/year), Bi-weekly (26/year), Weekly (52/year), and Daily (365/year).
Limits and result exports
Present value ($) and Contribution per period ($) must be 0 or greater, and one of them must be greater than 0. Annual interest rate (%) accepts 0 through 100. Term must be greater than 0. After the selected Term unit is converted and the periods are rounded, the period count must be 1 through 4,800.
The calculation uses one fixed rate and evenly spaced contributions. It does not fetch live rates or model fees, taxes, investment risk, variable rates, irregular contributions, or separate compounding and contribution frequencies. If the period count exceeds 600, the schedule displays the first 600 periods while Future value uses the full count.
Copy result includes the entered values, formula values, totals, and Future value. Download result (.txt) saves the same text summary. Neither export includes schedule rows. The calculation runs in the browser from the values you enter.
Use a starting balance or contributions
Enter a current balance in Present value ($) and a recurring deposit in Contribution per period ($) when both amounts are part of the projection. To project contributions without a starting balance, enter 0 for Present value ($).
Change Contribution timing to compare deposits made at the beginning or end of each period. Copy result or Download result (.txt) when you need the entered assumptions and calculated values in text form.
When another financial calculator fits better
Use the Financial Calculators category for another type of projection. Choose the Present Value Calculator when you know a future amount and need its value today. Choose the Compound Interest Calculator for simple interest, compound interest, APY, or APR. Use the Amortization Calculator for a loan balance with period-by-period principal, interest, and balance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate future value with regular contributions?
Enter Present value ($), Contribution per period ($), Annual interest rate (%), Term, Term unit, Contribution timing, and Compounding / contribution frequency, then click Calculate. The result combines the starting amount's growth with the contribution stream.
What does Contribution timing change?
Contribution timing determines when each deposit is added relative to that period's interest. Beginning of each period gives each contribution one extra period of interest compared with End of each period.
Can I calculate future value with monthly compounding?
Select Monthly (12/year) under Compounding / contribution frequency. The calculator divides the annual rate by 12 and uses 12 periods per year for contributions and compounding.
How many periods can the Future Value Calculator use?
The rounded period count must be between 1 and 4,800. When it exceeds 600, the displayed growth schedule contains the first 600 periods, while Future value uses the complete count.