See how much your money could grow over time with our Investment Calculator. Enter your inputs and adjust assumptions to explore different scenarios.
Hypothetical illustration. Returns not guaranteed.
Potential future value
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Total contributions
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Investment gains
Growth over time
Popular next steps
What these results mean
Key terms
Initial Investment: The amount you have ready to invest today.
Contribution: The amount you can invest moving forward
Expected annual return: The average annual rate of return, or return on investment (ROI) you expect your investments to grow by on an annual basis
Profit: The returns your investments may earn. Together with your initial investment and contributions, these make up your projected ending balance.
The power of compound growth
Compound growth is when your investment earnings generate their own earnings, a powerful wealth-building tool. When your investments earn returns, those returns can be reinvested and added to your total balance. In the next period, you earn returns on both your original investment and your accumulated returns. This compounding effect accelerates growth over long time horizons, though market returns are never guaranteed.
Rate of return assumptions
The expected annual return is a key assumption in this calculator. Historical stock market returns have averaged around 10% annually, while bonds average lower. Adjusted for inflation, a conservative estimate might be 7%, while an aggressive portfolio might assume 10% or higher.
Important note on inflation
Inflation reduces what your money can buy over time. Prices typically rise about 3% annually according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means $100 today might only purchase $97 worth of goods next year. We account for inflation in our calculator by using a default annual return of 7%, adjusted downward from an historical annual return of 10%.
Ways results could change1
You spend less on fast food
Even small increases in regular contributions can create wealth over time. Spending $50 less on fast-food per month could make you over $42,000 in extra profit over the next 30 years.
The stock market shifts
Even a 1 percent difference to your annual rate of return can make a big impact. Assuming a $250 monthly investment, a 1 percent difference from 7% to 8% could make for an extra $63,000 profit.
You invest a bonus
Bonuses, tax refunds, or inheritance can accelerate your growth. Even a one-time $10,000 windfall invested for 15 years can grow to an extra $17,590 in profit.
How to use this calculator
Enter your initial investment: This is how much you can invest or already have invested today.
Set your years invested: How many years until you might need this money? Longer horizons may allow more growth, though returns are not guaranteed.
Choose your contribution schedule: Decide how much you'll add regularly and how often (monthly, biweekly, etc.).
Set expected return: By default we use a 7% based on historic stock market returns, but you can adjust it as you see fit.
Review the chart and table: See how your projected balance might build over time and understand the split between contributions and potential profit.
Methodology
How this calculator works
This calculator estimates how your investments could grow over time based on your starting balance, contributions (including any windfalls) and expected rate of return.
Rather than calculating growth only once per year, it updates your balance each compounding period. In each period, it applies the rate of return for that period, then adds any contributions or windfalls scheduled for that time. That updated balance becomes the starting point for the next period, and the process repeats over your selected time horizon.
You can hover over the graph to see how your contributions and profits stack up over time.
What's included
Initial investment (principal)
Ongoing contributions at your chosen frequency
Annual compound growth based on expected return rate
Optional employer match with income growth projections
Optional one-time or recurring windfall
What's not included
Taxes on investment gains
Investment fees or expense ratios
Market volatility or year-to-year fluctuations
Results in today’s dollars vs. inflation-adjusted dollars
Inflation adjustment
Results are shown in nominal dollars (not adjusted for inflation). To estimate real purchasing power, consider that historical inflation averages around 3% annually. For a rough real return, subtract inflation from your expected return (e.g., 7% nominal rate - 3% inflation = 4% real return).
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Investing vs. saving: what's the difference?
Is now a good time to invest?
What's a reasonable ROI assumption?
How do I think about risk?
What is diversification?
Disclaimer: Rocket Money does not provide investment, tax, or legal guidance, so it’s always wise to consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. Investment outcomes can vary widely and returns are never guaranteed. We cannot and do not guarantee applicability or accuracy in regards to your individual circumstances.
1: The figures and examples presented in this post are purely hypothetical and are provided for illustrative purposes only. They do not reflect real market data, actual investment results, or guarantees of future performance.
