Savings Calculator
Calculate how your savings will grow over time with regular deposits and compound interest.
What Is a Savings Calculator?
A savings calculator helps you project how your money will grow over time when you make regular deposits into an interest-bearing account. Whether you are building an emergency fund, saving for a down payment, or setting aside money for a future goal, this tool shows the power of consistent contributions combined with compound interest. Enter your starting balance, monthly deposit, interest rate, and timeframe to see a clear projection of your savings growth.
Compound interest is one of the most powerful forces in personal finance. When your interest earns interest on itself, growth accelerates over time. Even modest monthly contributions can produce surprisingly large balances when given enough time. This calculator applies the standard compound interest formula with periodic contributions, the same method banks and financial institutions use to project account balances.
Use this calculator to compare different savings strategies. Test what happens when you increase your monthly contribution by a small amount, or see how a higher interest rate changes your final balance. You can also work backwards from a savings goal to determine how much you need to deposit each month to reach your target.
How Do You Use This Savings Calculator?
Enter your initial deposit, monthly contribution, annual interest rate, and time period. Click Calculate to see the future value of your savings, total contributions, and total interest earned.
- Enter your initial deposit or current savings balance.
- Input the amount you plan to contribute each month.
- Set the annual interest rate your account offers.
- Choose the time period in years you plan to save.
- Click Calculate to see your projected savings balance.
- Adjust inputs to compare different savings scenarios and find the best strategy.
How Does the Savings Calculator Formula Work?
The formula used: FV = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) + PMT × [((1 + r/n)^(nt) - 1) / (r/n)] where P = initial deposit, PMT = monthly contribution, r = annual rate, n = compounding frequency, t = years
The savings calculator uses the future value formula for compound interest with regular contributions. It combines the growth of your initial deposit with the accumulated value of your monthly payments.
FV = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) + PMT × [((1 + r/n)^(nt) - 1) / (r/n)]
P is the initial deposit (starting balance). PMT is the regular monthly contribution. r is the annual interest rate as a decimal. n is the number of times interest compounds per year (12 for monthly). t is the number of years. The first part of the formula calculates how your initial deposit grows, and the second part calculates the future value of all your regular contributions.
What Are Some Example Calculations?
With an initial deposit of $5,000, monthly contributions of $200, and a 5% annual interest rate compounded monthly over 10 years: Future value = $36,738. Total contributions = $29,000. Interest earned = $7,738.
Emergency fund: $1,000 initial deposit, $300/month at 4.5% for 3 years
P = 1000, PMT = 300, r = 0.045, n = 12, t = 3. FV = 1000(1.00375)^36 + 300 × [((1.00375)^36 - 1) / 0.00375]
Future value = $12,604. Total contributions = $11,800. Interest earned = $804.
House deposit: €10,000 initial, €500/month at 3.8% for 5 years
P = 10000, PMT = 500, r = 0.038, n = 12, t = 5. FV = 10000(1.003167)^60 + 500 × [((1.003167)^60 - 1) / 0.003167]
Future value = $44,814. Total contributions = $40,000. Interest earned = $4,814.
Long-term savings: £2,000 initial, £150/month at 5.2% for 20 years
P = 2000, PMT = 150, r = 0.052, n = 12, t = 20. FV = 2000(1.004333)^240 + 150 × [((1.004333)^240 - 1) / 0.004333]
Future value = $67,940. Total contributions = $38,000. Interest earned = $29,940.
When Should You Use a Savings Calculator?
Use this savings calculator when you want to understand how your money will grow before opening a savings account or committing to a regular deposit plan. It is particularly useful when comparing different account interest rates, contribution amounts, or time horizons. Whether you are saving for a wedding, a car, a house deposit, or a general rainy-day fund, this tool helps you set realistic expectations and stay motivated.
Revisit the calculator periodically to check whether your savings are on track. If interest rates change or you can afford to increase your monthly contribution, run a new projection. The calculator is also valuable for parents and guardians planning education savings, or anyone who wants to see the long-term benefit of starting to save early rather than waiting.
What Do These Terms Mean?
What Are the Best Tips to Know?
- Start saving as early as possible — even small amounts benefit enormously from compound interest over long periods.
- Increase your monthly contribution by even 10% when you get a pay rise to accelerate your savings growth.
- Look for accounts that compound interest daily or monthly rather than annually for slightly better returns.
- Set up automatic transfers on payday so you save before you have a chance to spend.
- Use the calculator to find the minimum monthly contribution needed to reach a specific savings goal by your target date.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
- Using the nominal interest rate instead of the effective rate, which accounts for compounding frequency.
- Forgetting that savings account rates can change, so projections based on today's rate may not hold for 10+ years.
- Not accounting for inflation, which reduces the real purchasing power of your future savings.
- Confusing gross interest (before tax) with net interest (after tax) when projecting returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does compound interest work in a savings account?
Compound interest calculates interest on your total balance, including previously earned interest. Each compounding period, the interest earned gets added to your balance, so the next period's interest is calculated on a larger amount. Over time, this creates exponential growth.
What is the difference between simple and compound interest for savings?
Simple interest is calculated only on the original principal. Compound interest is calculated on the principal plus all accumulated interest. Over long periods, compound interest produces significantly higher returns.
How much should I save each month?
A common guideline is to save at least 20% of your after-tax income. However, any amount is better than nothing. Use this calculator to see how different monthly amounts grow over your chosen time period.
Does compounding frequency make a big difference?
Daily compounding earns slightly more than monthly, and monthly earns more than annual. On a $10,000 balance at 5%, the difference between annual and daily compounding is about $12 per year. The effect is larger with higher balances and rates.
Should I factor in inflation when planning savings?
Yes. Inflation reduces the purchasing power of future money. If your savings account earns 4% and inflation is 3%, your real return is approximately 1%. Consider using an inflation-adjusted rate in the calculator for a more realistic projection.
Is the interest on my savings taxable?
Tax treatment varies by country and account type. In the UK, most people have a Personal Savings Allowance. In the US, interest is generally taxable income. Check your country's tax rules or use a tax-advantaged savings vehicle where available.
What is the best savings account interest rate I can get?
Rates change frequently and vary by institution. High-yield online savings accounts typically offer the best rates. Compare accounts regularly and consider fixed-rate bonds if you can lock away your money for a set period.
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