Calculate future value of your investments with monthly contributions and inflation adjustment.
Enter your initial investment, monthly contribution, expected annual return rate, and the number of years you plan to invest. Optionally, set an inflation rate to see your returns in today’s purchasing power.
The calculator shows both nominal value (the raw dollar amount) and real value (adjusted for inflation), plus your total contributions and total return.
Use this to set realistic expectations for long-term investment goals like retirement or college savings.
Future value with regular contributions:
FV = P(1 + r)^t + C × [((1 + r)^t − 1) / r]Real (inflation-adjusted) value:
Real FV = Nominal FV / (1 + i)^tWhere P = initial investment, C = monthly contribution (adjusted for compounding), r = monthly return rate, t = total months, and i = annual inflation rate.
Example: $20,000 initial investment with $500/month at 8% annual return for 25 years, 3% inflation:
The S&P 500 has historically returned about 10% annually before inflation (roughly 7% after inflation). Conservative portfolios with bonds may return 4–6%. Always remember past performance does not guarantee future results.
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. An investment worth $1 million in 30 years will buy significantly less than $1 million today. The real (inflation-adjusted) value shows what your future money is worth in today’s terms.
Consider increasing contributions annually, ideally in line with salary raises. Even small annual increases (e.g., 1–2% of salary) can significantly boost long-term results due to compounding.
Nominal value is the actual dollar amount your investment will be worth. Real value adjusts for inflation, showing what that money can actually buy in terms of today’s purchasing power.