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Future value of a present sum icon showing two circles

Future Value of a Present Sum

Future Value of a Present Sum

$

This is a worked example. Change the values, then press Calculate.

FUTURE VALUE
TOTAL INTEREST EARNED
PERIODS COMPOUNDED

Solution

The simplest compound growth question, what does a lump sum become after N years at a given rate, this calculator answers it directly with the full compounding breakdown.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter your Present Value (PV) and Annual Rate.
  2. Enter the number of Years and your Compounding frequency.
  3. Read the Future Value, Total Interest Earned, and Periods Compounded.

What this calculator does

This is the standard compound interest formula applied to a single lump sum with no ongoing contributions, projecting how much a present value grows to after a given number of years at a specified annual rate and compounding frequency.

FV = PV × (1 + r/n)^(nt)

Why compounding frequency changes the result even at the same annual rate

The same nominal annual rate produces a higher future value with more frequent compounding, monthly compounding earns slightly more than annual compounding at the identical stated rate, because interest gets calculated and added to the balance more often, meaning subsequent interest calculations are based on a slightly larger, already-grown balance.

Frequently asked questions

Does compounding frequency matter if the annual rate stays the same?

Yes, more frequent compounding (monthly vs annual, for example) produces a slightly higher future value at the identical stated annual rate, because interest is calculated and added to the balance more often, letting subsequent interest compound on a larger base sooner.

What’s the difference between this calculator and an annuity calculator?

This calculator handles a single lump sum with no further contributions, while a future value of annuity calculator handles a series of equal periodic payments, use this one if you’re not adding any more money after the initial investment.