Future Value Calculator

Calculate the future value of a lump sum using compound growth

Your result will appear here.

About the Future Value Calculator

Future value projects what money today could become after earning a specified return over time. It is useful for savings, investment and time-value-of-money problems where the starting amount and growth rate are known.

The calculation is straightforward, but the result inherits every assumption you make about rate, compounding and time.

How to Use the Future Value Calculator

  1. Enter the present amount or principal.
  2. Enter the annual or periodic growth rate.
  3. Enter the number of periods and compounding frequency.
  4. Calculate the future value and compare it with a lower-rate scenario if the rate is uncertain.

How the Calculation Works

For a lump sum, FV = PV × (1+r)^n, where PV is present value, r is the periodic rate and n is the number of compounding periods.

When rate and time use different frequencies, the annual rate is converted to the selected periodic rate before exponentiation.

Worked example

Future Value Calculator Worked Example

$5,000 at 7% for 8 years

FV = $5,000 × 1.07^8 ≈ $8,590.93. The modeled growth above the starting amount is about $3,590.93.

Result guide

Understanding Your Future Value Calculator Result

Future value is a scenario under the entered rate. It does not tell you how much that future money will buy after inflation.

Before you rely on the answer

Assumptions and Limitations

  • The rate remains constant for the model.
  • Compounding occurs at the selected frequency.
  • Fees, taxes and inflation are excluded unless entered separately.

Practical tip

Using This Result in Practice

Use a rate that reflects what you realistically expect to keep after fees. For long horizons, also compare the nominal result with an inflation-adjusted amount. If the future amount is tied to a real goal, compare the result with a second scenario using a lower rate and with inflation so nominal growth is not mistaken for purchasing-power growth.

Related calculations

Useful Calculations to Continue With

If you know the future amount and want today’s equivalent value, use the Present Value Calculator.

If you also need recurring contributions and a more savings-oriented projection, use the Compound Interest Calculator.

Authoritative references

Useful Official Sources

For standards, definitions or real-world guidance related to this calculation, these primary sources may be useful:

Common questions

Future Value Calculator FAQ

What is future value?

It is the amount a present sum could grow to after applying a specified rate for a stated number of periods.

Does more frequent compounding increase future value?

For the same nominal annual rate, more frequent compounding generally increases the result slightly.

Is future value guaranteed?

Only for a contractual product that actually provides the assumed return. Investment-return scenarios are not guarantees.