Finance
What a lump sum grows to at compound interest — future value, interest earned, and the growth multiple, from present value, annual rate, years, and compounding frequency.
Results update as you type. No calculate button. All calculations run locally in your browser.
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Year-by-year values assume the same rate every year and annual compounding for the yearly rows, whatever the compounding frequency above.
Future value = present value × (1 + annual rate ÷ compounding periods)compounding periods × years. Interest earned = future value − present value. Growth multiple = future value ÷ present value. The default compounding frequency is 1 (annual); use 12 for monthly compounding.
$10,000 at 5% compounded annually for 10 years: future value = $10,000 × 1.0510 = $16,288.95. Interest earned is $16,288.95 − $10,000 = $6,288.95, and the growth multiple is 1.63×. After 5 years the same sum is worth $12,762.82.
This is a single lump sum at a fixed rate — no regular deposits or withdrawals. For regular payments, use a savings-goal or annuity calculation instead. The rate is assumed constant for the whole period; real investment returns vary year to year. Taxes, fees, and inflation are not included, so the result is a nominal future amount, not purchasing power.
Yes, but less than rate and time. Monthly compounding on the example gives $16,470.09 instead of $16,288.95 — about $181 more over 10 years. Daily compounding adds only a little more again.
None in the math: compound interest is the interest earned, future value is the total. This page shows both so you do not have to subtract by hand.
Yes. At 0% the future value equals the present value and no interest is earned.
No. To compare purchasing power, divide the future value by (1 + inflation rate)years, or use an inflation-adjusted calculation.
They are not included here. A lump sum plus deposits needs the future value of an annuity added on top — a separate calculation with its own formula.
Because growth compounds: each year's interest earns interest in later years. Over 30 years, 6% instead of 5% on $10,000 gives $57,434.91 instead of $43,219.42.
Results are estimates only and do not constitute professional advice.