Investment Return Calculator
Total return, annualized return, and the power of compounding.
Future value:
Total invested:
Total return:
Annualized return:
Growth over time
Related guide: What is a good investment return?
How to use this calculator
Enter your initial investment, monthly contribution, expected annual return and years, then press Calculate. Future value, total invested, total return and annualized return are displayed with a growth chart.
What the result means
Total return is the dollars your money made. Annualized return is that growth expressed as a yearly rate — the honest way to compare against benchmarks and other investments.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good annual return?
A diversified stock portfolio has historically averaged 7-9% before inflation over long periods. Plan conservatively.
Why does time matter more than the rate?
Compounding multiplies returns year after year. Small contributions started early routinely beat larger ones started late.