How to use
- Choose Future value to see what money today plus regular deposits grows into, or Present value to see what a future amount — or a stream of payments — is worth today.
- Enter the lump sum and the payment per period. Leave either one empty (or 0) if it doesn’t apply.
- Set the annual rate (a discount rate for present value), the number of years, how often payments and compounding happen, and whether payments come at the end or the start of each period.
- The result splits into the lump-sum part and the payment part; future value also shows a year-by-year balance.
Formulas
i = rate per period (annual rate ÷ periods per year), n = total periods (years × periods per year).
| Item | Formula |
|---|---|
| FV of a lump sum | PV × (1 + i)ⁿ |
| FV of payments (ordinary annuity) | PMT × ((1 + i)ⁿ − 1) ÷ i |
| PV of a lump sum | FV ÷ (1 + i)ⁿ |
| PV of payments (ordinary annuity) | PMT × (1 − (1 + i)⁻ⁿ) ÷ i |
| Annuity due (payments at the start) | the payment formula × (1 + i) |
Payments at the start of each period earn one extra period of interest, so both values are (1 + i) times larger. The math matches the FV and PV functions in Excel or Google Sheets, with every amount entered as a positive number.
Examples
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| 10,000 now plus 300 at the end of each month, 6%, 10 years | FV 67,357.77 (46,000 contributed, 21,357.77 interest) |
| 10,000 received in 10 years, 5% discount rate, yearly | PV 6,139.13 |
| 1,000 at the end of each year for 5 years, 5% | PV 4,329.48 |
| The same payments at the start of each year | PV 4,545.95 |
Things to keep in mind
- Results are for reference only. The calculator assumes one constant rate; real investment returns vary from year to year.
- Taxes, fees and inflation are not included. To think in today’s money, use a discount rate that reflects inflation or pair this with the inflation calculator.
- Years × periods per year must be a whole number — whole years for yearly, or pick quarterly or monthly for something like 2.5 years.
- For a full retirement plan, try the retirement calculator; to convert a nominal rate into an effective yield, use the APY calculator.
FAQ
What discount rate should I use?
Typically the return you could reasonably earn on the money elsewhere — a savings rate for safe money, or your expected investment return.
Can I compare a lump-sum payout with monthly payments?
Yes. Enter the monthly amount as the payment in Present value mode and compare the result with the lump sum. At the same discount rate, the larger present value is the better deal.
Is anything I enter saved or sent anywhere?
No. All calculations run in your browser.