Future Value Calculator
See what an amount today will grow to in the future at a chosen annual rate.
Choose what to solve for — that field becomes the result
e.g. 7% stocks, 4.5% CD, 3% bonds
Future Value
$17,908.48
$10,000 today grows to that much in 10 years at 6.00% a year.
Amount Today
$10,000
What you start with
Growth Earned
$7,908
1.79× the starting amount
Future Value
$17,908
What you end up with
Rule of 72: at 6.00% a year, your money roughly doubles every 12.0 years (exact: 11.9 years). A handy mental shortcut for sizing up any growth rate without a calculator.
The calculation
FV = PV × (1 + r)^n
$17,908 = $10,000 × (1 + 6.00%)^10
Growth over time
The curve steepens over time as growth earns more growth — the essence of compounding.
This is the pure time-value-of-money tool — a single lump sum, no monthly deposits. If you're planning a savings goal with regular contributions, the Compound Interest Calculator is the right tool — it adds contributions, compounding frequency, and goal-seeking on top of the same math. For a stream of equal periodic payments (a pension or annuity), see the Annuity Calculator.
How to use this calculator
- Enter today’s amount — the lump sum you have now.
- Choose an annual growth rate — your expected return per year.
- Enter the number of years — how long the money will grow.
The headline shows the future value. The chart traces growth year by year — the curve steepens over time, the visual signature of compounding.
How it works
Future value is the simplest compound-growth formula:
FV = PV × (1 + r)^n
The compounding factor (1 + r)^n grows non-linearly because each year’s gain becomes part of the base for the next year’s gain. Doubling the time horizon more than doubles the result.
Future value is the mirror of present value — they use the same factor in opposite directions. If you want to know what a future amount is worth today, use the Present Value Calculator instead. For a lump sum plus regular contributions, use the Compound Interest Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is future value? ▾
Future value (FV) is what a lump sum today will be worth at some point in the future, assuming it earns a steady annual return. It is the simplest expression of compound growth: each year's earnings are added to the principal, so next year's growth is calculated on a larger base.
What is the future value formula? ▾
FV = PV × (1 + r)^n, where PV is the present amount, r is the annual rate, and n is the number of years. The factor (1 + r)^n is the compounding factor — it captures interest-on-interest growth.
Why does the curve get steeper over time? ▾
Because each year's growth is added to the balance, the next year's growth is calculated on a bigger number. Early on the gains look small; as the years stack up, the same percentage return produces dramatically larger dollar gains. This is the 'snowball' shape of compounding.
What rate should I use? ▾
Use a rate that matches the type of money you're projecting. Stock-market projections typically use 6–10% (long-run S&P average is around 10% nominal, 7% real). Bonds and CDs are 3–5%. Cash savings are usually 0–5%. Use a lower rate if you want a conservative estimate.
Does this account for inflation? ▾
No — this calculator returns the nominal future value at the rate you choose. To estimate what that future amount will be worth in today's purchasing power, run the result through the Inflation Calculator separately.
Can I add periodic contributions? ▾
Not here — this calculator is for a single lump sum. If you'll add monthly or yearly contributions on top, the Compound Interest Calculator handles both.