Compound Interest Calculator
See how a monthly investment can grow over time. Adjust returns, inflation, and annual deposit increases to view your deposits, interest, total balance, and real (inflation-adjusted) return.
How to use it
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Choose currency (only impacts the symbol) and years invested.
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Enter initial investment and monthly contribution.
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Set an annual return and optional annual deposit increase.
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Add inflation to see buying power (“Real Return”).
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Hover the chart to compare Deposits, Interest, Balance, and Real Return by year.
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Download the table as CSV.
What the results mean
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Deposits: total you’ve put in.
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Interest: market growth on your deposits.
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Balance: deposits + interest.
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Real Return: balance adjusted for inflation (today’s money).
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Rule of thumb: time in the market > timing the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What’s a realistic annual return to use?
Historically, broad stock markets delivered ~7–10% before fees and inflation over long periods. For planning, many use 5–8% nominal and also test a conservative case (e.g., 4–6%).
Q2: How does inflation change my results?
Inflation reduces buying power. The Real Return number shows your balance in today’s euros so you don’t overestimate what the money can buy.
Q3: Should I raise my monthly deposits each year?
If your income grows, increasing contributions by some % yearly can noticeably boost long-term results, even more than chasing higher returns.
Q4: Does compound interest work with Dividends?
Yes. Reinvesting Dividends and adding monthly contributions compounds over time. Treat Dividends as “Additional Montly Contributions”.
Q5: Why does the chart stack Deposits and Interest?
Stacking makes the sources of growth obvious, what came from you vs. the market. The orange balance line shows the total.
Q6: Can I export my results?
Use Download CSV to save the table for spreadsheets or sharing.
Q7: What’s the difference between balance and real return?
Balance is the raw number. Real return removes inflation so you see the value in today’s money.