Investment Calculator

Calculate returns on lump sum or SIP investments

Last updated: January 2025

About This Tool

An investment calculator helps you project how your money can grow over time through lump sum or systematic investments. Understanding potential returns is essential for making informed investment decisions and setting realistic financial goals.

What is Investment Calculator?

An investment calculator is a financial planning tool that estimates the future value of your investments based on initial capital, expected rate of return, and investment duration. It can calculate returns for both one-time lump sum investments and regular periodic investments (SIP/DCA).

How It Works

The calculator uses compound interest formulas to project investment growth. For lump sum investments, it calculates how a single investment grows over time. For SIP (Systematic Investment Plan), it calculates the cumulative value of regular investments plus compound returns on each contribution.

Formula

Lump Sum: FV = PV × (1 + r)^n | SIP: FV = P × [(1 + r)^n - 1] / r × (1 + r)

$100,000
12%
10 years

Expected Value

$310,584.82

after 10 years

Investment Growth

Investment Summary

Total Invested

$100,000

Total Returns

$210,584.82

Absolute Return

210.6%

💡 Investment Tips

  • • SIP helps average out market volatility
  • • Longer time = more compounding benefit
  • • Diversify across asset classes

Related Tools

When to Use This Calculator

  • 1Planning how much to invest to reach a specific financial goal
  • 2Comparing lump sum vs systematic investment strategies
  • 3Understanding the impact of different return rates on your portfolio
  • 4Setting realistic expectations for long-term wealth building
  • 5Deciding between different investment options based on projected returns

Pro Tips

  • Use conservative return estimates (7-10% for stocks, 4-6% for bonds) for realistic projections
  • Remember that past performance does not guarantee future returns
  • Factor in inflation to understand real (inflation-adjusted) returns
  • Consider your risk tolerance when setting expected return rates
  • Diversify your investments across different asset classes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using overly optimistic return rates that may not be sustainable
  • Ignoring the impact of fees and taxes on actual returns
  • Not accounting for inflation when projecting long-term goals
  • Expecting linear returns when markets are inherently volatile
  • Focusing only on returns without considering risk

Frequently Asked Questions

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