Future Value Calculator
See what a sum of money will be worth in the future with interest and contributions.
Results update as you type.
About this calculator
The future value (FV) of money is what a present sum will grow to at a given interest rate over time — the core idea behind the time value of money. This calculator grows a starting lump sum with compound interest and adds the future value of any regular contributions, letting you choose how often payments are made, whether they land at the start or end of each period, and whether they step up each year.
Two pieces combine. The lump sum grows as FV = PV × (1 + i)^n, where i is the rate per compounding period and n the number of periods; a stream of level payments adds an annuity term, FV = PMT × ((1 + i)^n − 1) ÷ i. For example, 1,000 left to compound at 5% a year (compounded monthly) for 10 years grows to about 1,647 — roughly 647 of that is interest, including interest earned on earlier interest.
Use it to project what savings, an investment or a pension pot might be worth by a target date, to weigh saving a lump sum now against contributing monthly, or to see how a higher rate or a longer horizon changes the result. Because it separates the money you put in from the interest earned, the pull of compounding is easy to see.
Frequently asked questions
What is the future value formula?
For a lump sum, FV = PV × (1 + i)^n, where i is the rate per period and n the number of periods. Regular payments add an annuity term, FV = PMT × ((1 + i)^n − 1) / i, which this tool adds on top of the lump-sum growth.
What does payment timing change?
Paying at the start of each period (an annuity due) gives every payment one extra period to earn interest, so the future value is slightly higher than paying at the end (an ordinary annuity). The tool multiplies the annuity term by (1 + i) for due.
Does compounding frequency change the result?
Yes. More frequent compounding lets interest start earning its own interest sooner, so monthly compounding beats annual for the same nominal rate. The "payments per year" setting also sets how often interest is applied, so 5% compounded monthly grows a little faster than 5% compounded once a year.
How do regular contributions change the outcome?
Each new contribution has less time to grow than the ones before it, but together they add an annuity on top of the lump-sum growth. Contributing more, contributing more often, or simply starting earlier lifts the final balance far more than a small change in the interest rate.
What is an annual payment increase (step-up)?
It raises your contribution by a set percentage every year, modelling a plan where you save more as your income grows. A 5% annual increase means the second year contributes 5% more than the first, which can noticeably raise the future value.
What interest rate should I enter?
Use a realistic long-run return for the money: a couple of percent for cash savings, more for diversified investments — but higher returns carry more risk. A conservative rate keeps the projection from overstating what you will actually have.
Is the future value adjusted for inflation?
No. The result is a nominal figure in future dollars. To see its real buying power, run the amount through the inflation calculator, or enter an inflation-adjusted (real) return rate instead of the nominal one.
API — use this calculator from code
Call this calculator as a free JSON endpoint — no key required. Send the field values below as query parameters or JSON. Read the full API docs →
Endpoint
GET https://calculator.free/api/v1/future-value/curl
curl "https://calculator.free/api/v1/future-value/?pv=1000&rate=5&years=10&pmt=0"JavaScript fetch()
const r = await fetch(
"https://calculator.free/api/v1/future-value/?" + new URLSearchParams({
"pv": "1000",
"rate": "5",
"years": "10",
"pmt": "0"
}));
const data = await r.json();
console.log(data.results);Results are estimates for general guidance only, not financial, medical or tax advice.