How to Use Our Investment Return Calculator

3 min read

Our Investment Return Calculator projects how your investments will grow based on your contributions, expected returns, and time horizon.

What to Enter

Initial Investment -- The lump sum you are starting with, or zero if starting fresh.
Regular Contribution -- The amount you plan to invest on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, or annually).
Expected Annual Return -- Your anticipated rate of return. Historical averages: stocks ~10% nominal (7% real), bonds ~5%, balanced portfolio ~7-8%.
Investment Period -- How many years you plan to invest.

Ending Balance -- Your projected portfolio value at the end of the period.

Total Contributions -- The sum of your initial investment plus all regular contributions. This is the money you actually put in.

Investment Earnings -- The difference between your ending balance and total contributions. This is the money your money earned.

Growth Chart -- A visual showing how your portfolio grows over time, clearly illustrating the compounding acceleration in later years.

The real power of this calculator is comparing different approaches. Run multiple scenarios:

These comparisons often reveal that starting earlier and contributing consistently matters more than chasing higher returns.