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Future value calculator

Enter a sum today, an annual return and a period in years. The calculator works out what that sum grows into after the given period.

Result

Future value

Interest earned

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This calculation is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Formulas and rates may not fit your exact situation — double-check the figures before making decisions.

How it is calculated

Future value = sum today × (1 + annual return ÷ 100) ^ number of years. It's the basic compound interest formula for a single lump sum with annual compounding — what today's deposit grows into after N years at a constant rate of return.

The growth here is non-linear: the return applies not just to the original sum but also to the interest already accumulated in prior years, so the dollar gain gets bigger every year even though the rate stays the same. That's the compounding effect.

This calculation is the simplest case: a single sum, compounded once a year. For a different compounding frequency (monthly, quarterly), use the compound interest calculator. For the reverse question — how much to invest today to reach a target sum in the future — that's the present value calculator.

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