Money ManagementETF vs Mutual Fund: Which Is Better for Beginners?
ETF vs Mutual Fund: Which Is Better for Beginners? Explore costs, tax implications, and trading flexibility for informed investment decisions.
MAJun 11, 2026Read More →
Investment Goal Calculator
Work out how much to invest each month to hit a target. Enter your goal, current savings, expected return and timeline, then press Calculate to see the deposit you need.
Written by TopicDrill Editorial Team·Updated June 2026
Path to your goal
Balance Goal
Advertisement
How the investment goal calculator works
The tool runs the math in two parts. First it projects your existing savings forward at the return you expect, so any head start is credited. Then it figures out the steady monthly deposit that, once compounded, closes the remaining gap to your target by the deadline you set.
The chart traces your balance climbing toward the dashed goal line. Early on the curve is gentle, but it steepens as compounding kicks in, which is why the final stretch often grows faster than the years before it.
A quick example
Say you want 100,000 dollars in 10 years, already hold 10,000 dollars, and expect a 7 percent return. The starting balance grows to roughly 20,000 dollars on its own, so your monthly deposits only need to cover the rest. The calculator finds that around 460 dollars a month gets you there, with growth supplying the difference.
Things to keep in mind
Returns are never guaranteed, so revisit the plan yearly and adjust your deposit if markets run ahead or fall behind. Inflation also chips away at a fixed target, a point explained at Investor.gov. To see what a chosen monthly deposit grows into instead, try our future value calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How does the investment goal calculator work?
It first grows your current balance forward at the expected return to see how much it covers on its own. Whatever gap remains to the goal is filled by monthly deposits, and the tool inverts the future value of an annuity formula to find the exact deposit needed.
What return rate should I assume?
Use a rate that matches the type of account. A diversified stock portfolio has historically returned roughly 6 to 8 percent a year before inflation over long periods, while a savings account or bond fund will be much lower. A conservative assumption leaves more margin if markets underperform.
Why does the required monthly amount drop with more time?
Because compounding does more of the work. The longer your money is invested, the more growth it earns, so you need to add less of your own cash each month. Starting earlier is the single most powerful lever for reaching a goal comfortably.
What if my current savings already reach the goal?
If your starting balance grows past the target on its own within the time frame, the calculator shows a required monthly contribution of zero. You are already on track and any extra deposits simply build a cushion beyond the goal.
Related guides
View all →
Business FinanceHow Much Will $1,000 Invested Today Be Worth in 10 Years?
Invest $1,000 today and the answer to "what's it worth in 10 years?" ranges from about $1,040 in a basic savings account to roughly $2,594 at the stock market's long-run average. Here's the math behind every scenario — plus how inflation, fees and taxes change the real number.
MAJun 9, 2026Read More →
Business FinanceHow Much Do You Need to Retire Comfortably? (2026 Guide)
There's no single magic number for retirement — but there are proven formulas that get you close. Using the 4% rule, most people need roughly 25 times their annual spending invested. Here's how to find your personal target, factoring in Social Security, healthcare, inflation and lifestyle.
MAJun 9, 2026Read More →
Advertisement