Future Value Calculator
Calculate the future value of an amount of money invested today, applying an annual rate of return over a given number of years, to see how much your investment will grow to be worth.
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Future Value = Present Value × (1 + Rate)^Years
Future Value Calculator
Future value is the amount a sum of money (the present value) will grow to if invested at a given rate of return over a period of time. It's the core concept behind any savings or investment projection: the higher the rate of return and the longer the time horizon, the greater the effect of compound interest on the initial capital.
The formula is: future value = present value × (1 + annual rate)^years. For example, €10,000 invested at 6% annually for 10 years becomes 10,000 × 1.06^10 = €17,908.48, meaning €7,908.48 in interest earned without contributing anything else during that period.
Compound interest makes growth accelerate over time: in the early years, most of the future value comes from the initial capital, but past a certain point the interest generated starts, in turn, generating more interest, and its weight in the final result grows non-linearly. That's why time, alongside the rate of return, is the variable with the biggest impact on future value.
This calculator assumes a constant rate of return and doesn't account for taxes or inflation. In practice, an investment's return varies from year to year, so the result is an indicative projection, not a guarantee; and if you want to know the real purchasing power of the future capital, it's also worth estimating the effect of cumulative inflation over the period.
Preguntas frecuentes
How is an investment's future value calculated?
Multiply the present value by (1 + annual rate) raised to the number of years: FV = PV × (1+r)^n.
What's the difference between future value and present value?
Present value is the capital you invest today; future value is what that capital will grow to be worth after applying the return over the given time.
Does this calculator include periodic contributions, or just an initial investment?
It calculates the growth of a lump sum invested once (initial capital), with no additional contributions during the period.
What annual rate of return is realistic to use?
It depends on the asset type: a savings account might yield around 2-3%, while a diversified equity portfolio has historically returned between 6% and 8% annually over the long term.
How does inflation affect the calculated future value?
The calculator doesn't deduct it automatically; if you want the future value in today's purchasing power, subtract the expected annual inflation from the rate of return before calculating.
Why does compound interest grow faster past a certain point?
Because each year the interest generated is added to the capital and, in turn, generates more interest; this cumulative effect accelerates the more time passes.
Can I use this calculator to find out how much I need to invest today to reach a future goal?
Yes, by reversing the formula: required present value = future goal / (1 + rate)^years.
Does the result account for taxes on gains?
No, the calculation is gross, before taxes. Taxation on capital gains varies by country and type of investment product.