Future value is the core of the time value of money: a dollar invested today grows into more than a dollar later. Use it for savings goals, investment projections and comparing lump sums with payment plans.
How to use the Future Value Calculator
- Present value
- Interest rate per period
- Number of periods
- Periodic deposit (negative for withdrawal)
- Payment timing
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the present value, the interest rate per period, the number of periods and any regular payment.
Tips
- Use the nominal annual rate and pick the compounding frequency your bank or broker states.
- Small differences in return or fees compound into large differences over decades.
- Run the calculation with a cautious, a central and an optimistic return to see the range of outcomes.
- Past returns do not guarantee future returns – nothing here is investment advice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Comparing an APR with an APY or effective rate.
- Ignoring inflation, taxes and fees when judging a real return.
- Entering a percentage as a decimal (5 instead of 0.05 is correct here).
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Present value | Amount in your currency |
| Interest rate per period | In % |
| Number of periods | A number |
| Periodic deposit (negative for withdrawal) | Amount in your currency |
| Payment timing | Choose one: End of each period, Beginning of each period |
What each result means
- Future value = fvc([Interest rate per period]÷100, [Number of periods], [Present value], [Periodic deposit (negative for withdrawal)], [Payment timing])
- Total deposits = [Periodic deposit (negative for withdrawal)]×[Number of periods]
- Total interest = [Future value] – [Present value] – [Total deposits]
Example values
How the main result changes when Present value changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Present value | Future value |
|---|---|
| 5,000 | 8,954.24 |
| 7,500 | 13,431.36 |
| 10,000 | 17,908.48 |
| 12,500 | 22,385.6 |
| 15,000 | 26,862.72 |
| 20,000 | 35,816.95 |
Formula
FV = PV × (1 + r)^n + PMT × [(1 + r)^n − 1] ÷ r × (1 + r × timing)Worked example
Inputs — Present value: $10,000; Interest rate per period: 6 %; Number of periods: 10; Periodic deposit (negative for withdrawal): $0; Payment timing: End of each period.
Results — Future value = $17,908.48; Total deposits = $0.00; Total interest = $7,908.48.
Frequently asked questions
What is future value?
The value of money at a future date after earning interest.
How do I calculate future value?
FV = PV × (1 + r)^n, plus the future value of any regular payments.
What rate should I use?
The expected rate per period – divide an annual rate by 12 for monthly periods.
What formula does the Future Value Calculator use?
FV = PV × (1 + r)^n + PMT × [(1 + r)^n − 1] ÷ r × (1 + r × timing).