How to Use the Compound Interest Calculator

Want to see how your savings can grow over time with the power of compound interest? Our Compound Interest Calculator helps you visualize your financial future in just a few steps. Here’s how to use it:

Enter Your Initial Deposit

Start by typing in the amount you’re investing upfront. The default is $10,000, but adjust it to match your starting savings or investment.

Set Your Years of Growth

Decide how long you’ll let your money grow. It’s preset to 1 year, but you can increase it to see how time boosts your returns—try 5, 10, or even 30 years!

Input Your Estimated Rate of Return

Add the annual interest rate you expect to earn. We’ve set it at 4%, a conservative average, but tweak it based on your investment type (e.g., savings account, stocks, or bonds).

Choose Your Compound Frequency

Select how often your interest compounds—daily, monthly, quarterly, or annually. It defaults to “Daily” (the most common for savings accounts), but more frequent compounding means more growth.

Add a Contribution Amount

If you plan to add money regularly, enter that amount here. It’s set to $0 by default, but you can input, say, $100 to see the impact of consistent contributions.

Pick Your Contribution Frequency

Decide how often you’ll contribute—monthly or annually. The default is “Monthly,” perfect for regular savers, but switch to “Annually” if that fits your plan better.

See Your Results Unfold

As you adjust the fields, the calculator instantly updates your ending balance, total contributions, and total interest earned in the "Your Savings Growth" section. Below that, a line chart tracks your total balance (blue line) and contributions (light blue line) over time, so you can watch your wealth grow visually.

Pro Tip: Experiment with the numbers! Bump up the rate of return or add monthly contributions to see how small changes can lead to big gains over time. It’s a fun way to plan your financial goals.

Note: This tool assumes a fixed rate of return and doesn’t account for taxes, fees, or market fluctuations. For a precise plan, consult a financial advisor. Happy growing!