Investment Calculator

Free investment calculator — project portfolio growth with contributions, dividends, and inflation adjustments. See the impact of different risk profiles and time horizons.

Portfolio Value
$0
Total Return
0%
Adjusted for Inflation
$0
$
$0$1M
$
$0$10K
%
1%25%
years
1 yr40 yrs
%
0%10%

Growth Projection

Formula Used

Portfolio Value at Year t: V_t = V_(t-1) × (1 + g) + C × (1 + g/2) Inflation-Adjusted Value: Real V_t = V_t / (1 + i)^t Where: g = Expected nominal annual return C = Annual contribution i = Inflation rate

How This Investment Calculator Works

This calculator projects portfolio growth using compound returns with regular contributions, adjusted for inflation so you can see the real purchasing power of your future wealth.

Real vs. Nominal Returns

  • Nominal return: What you see on paper — e.g., "10% average S&P 500 return"
  • Real return: After inflation — at 3% inflation, that 10% becomes ~7% in today's dollars
  • Why it matters: $1M in 20 years buys significantly less than $1M today

The chart shows both your contributions (what you actually put in) and your investment growth (the compounding effect), giving you a clear picture of how much is "your money" vs. "market returns."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a realistic return for stock market investing?
The S&P 500 has averaged ~10% nominal (before inflation) and ~7% real (after inflation) over the long term. Short-term returns vary wildly — expect significant volatility in any given year.
How does inflation affect my investments?
At 3% inflation, $1M in 20 years has the purchasing power of ~$550K today. Always consider real (inflation-adjusted) returns. A 7% return with 3% inflation = ~4% real return.