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Investment Return Calculator

Project how your investment portfolio will grow over time. Factor in monthly contributions and management fees to see the real impact on your long-term returns.

The lump sum you are investing today.

The amount you plan to add to your investment each month.

The average annual rate of return you expect from your investments.

The number of years you plan to stay invested.

The total annual fees charged on your investments (expense ratio, advisory fees, etc.).

This investment return calculator helps you estimate the future value of your portfolio by combining an initial investment, regular monthly contributions, an expected annual return rate, and an annual fee rate. See how seemingly small fees compound over decades and erode your total earnings.

How It Works

Investment Return Formula

FV = PV(1 + r)^n + PMT × ((1 + r)^n - 1) / r

Future value equals the compounded initial investment plus the compounded series of monthly contributions. Fees reduce the effective return rate.

FV is the future value of the investment

PV is the present value (initial investment)

PMT is the monthly contribution

r is the monthly return rate (annual rate / 12)

n is the total number of months

Fees are applied by reducing the gross return rate by the annual fee rate

Important Notes:

  • •Returns are compounded monthly based on the annual return rate divided by 12.
  • •Monthly contributions are assumed to be made at the end of each month.
  • •Fees are modeled by subtracting the annual fee rate from the annual return rate to compute the after-fee growth.
  • •This calculator uses a constant return assumption and does not model market volatility.

Worked Example

Investing $10,000 upfront and $500 per month at a 7% annual return over 20 years with a 0.5% annual fee.

Inputs:

  • initial Investment:10,000
  • monthly Contribution:500
  • annual Return Rate:7
  • investment Years:20
  • annual Fee Rate:0.5

Result:

Without fees, the portfolio would grow to roughly $325,500. After a 0.5% annual fee, the portfolio would be approximately $298,600 — meaning fees cost about $26,900 over 20 years. Total contributions are $130,000, so investment gains after fees are still around $168,600.

Who Is This Calculator For?

  • investors
  • retirement planners
  • financial planners
  • fee-conscious savers

Frequently Asked Questions

The long-term average return of the S&P 500 has been roughly 10% before inflation, or about 7% after inflation. A 7% assumption is commonly used for conservative long-term planning with a diversified stock portfolio. Bond-heavy portfolios typically return less.
Investment fees reduce your effective return rate every single year. Because investment growth compounds, losing even 0.5% per year means you earn less, and the lost earnings themselves never compound. Over 20 to 30 years this can reduce your final portfolio by tens of thousands of dollars.
Include your fund expense ratios, any advisory or management fees, and platform fees charged as a percentage of assets. Do not include one-time transaction fees or commissions — those are better tracked separately.
Monthly contributions are added at the end of each month and immediately begin compounding at the specified return rate. This end-of-period assumption is standard in financial calculators.
No. Investment gains may be subject to capital gains tax, dividend tax, or income tax depending on your account type and country. Tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, or RRSPs defer or eliminate some taxes. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
A compound interest calculator typically focuses on a fixed interest rate, like a savings account or CD. This investment return calculator is designed for market-based portfolios and adds fee impact analysis, which is critical for evaluating mutual funds, ETFs, and managed accounts.

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Last updated: April 11, 2026