Interest Calculator | Compound & Simple Interest Tool
English English
Spanish Español
Chinese 中文
Urdu اردو
French Français
German Deutsch
Japanese 日本語
Russian Русский
Arabic العربية
Hindi हिन्दी

Compound Interest Calculator

This Compound Interest Calculator can help determine the compound interest accumulation and final balances on both fixed principal amounts and additional periodic contributions. There are also optional factors available for consideration, such as the tax on interest income and inflation.

Modify the values and click the calculate button to use

Results

Ending balance $0.00
Total principal $0.00
Total contributions $0.00
Total interest $0.00
Interest of initial investment $0.00
Interest of the contributions $0.00
Buying power after inflation $0.00
Annual Schedule
Monthly Schedule
YearDepositInterestEnding balance

About Interest Calculator

Interest is the compensation paid by the borrower to the lender for the use of money as a percent or an amount. The concept of interest is the backbone behind most financial instruments in the world.

There are two distinct methods of accumulating interest, categorized into simple interest or compound interest.

Simple Interest

The following is a basic example of how interest works. Derek would like to borrow $100 (usually called the principal) from the bank for one year. The bank wants 10% interest on it. To calculate interest:

$100 × 10% = $10

This interest is added to the principal, and the sum becomes Derek’s required repayment to the bank one year later.

$100 + $10 = $110

Derek owes the bank $110 a year later, $100 for the principal and $10 as interest.

Compound Interest

Compounding interest requires more than one period, so let’s go back to the example of Derek borrowing $100 from the bank for two years at a 10% interest rate. For the first year, we calculate interest as usual.

$100 × 10% = $10

This interest is added to the principal, and the sum becomes Derek’s required repayment to the bank for that present time.

$100 + $10 = $110

However, the year ends, and in comes another period. For compounding interest, rather than the original amount, the principal + any interest accumulated since is used. In Derek’s case:

$110 × 10% = $11

Derek’s interest charge at the end of year 2 is $11. This is added to what is owed after year 1:

$110 + $11 = $121

When the loan ends, the bank collects $121 from Derek instead of $120 if it were calculated using simple interest instead. This is because interest is also earned on interest.

More Poular and related Tools 1) FHA Mortgage Calculator Guide | Estimate Your Payments, 2) Down Payment Calculator | Calculate Mortgage Costs, 3) Cash Back vs. Low Interest Rate Calculator, 4) Auto Loan Calculator – Estimate Payments, 5) Rent vs Buy Calculator: Compare Costs & Save Money, 6) Compound Interest Calculator – See Your Money Grow

How to Use the Interest Calculator

  1. Enter Your Investment Details
    • Initial Investment: Enter the starting amount of money you’re investing.
    • Annual Contribution: Add any yearly deposits you plan to make.
    • Contribution Timing: Choose whether deposits happen at the beginning or end of each period.
  2. Set Interest & Timeframe
    • Interest Rate (%): Input the expected annual interest rate.
    • Compound Frequency: Select how often interest compounds (yearly, monthly, daily, etc.).
    • Investment Length: Enter years and months for your investment horizon.
  3. Adjust for Taxes & Inflation (Optional)
    • Tax Rate (%): Account for taxes on interest earnings.
    • Inflation Rate (%): Adjust for inflation to see real purchasing power.
  4. Click “Calculate”
    • Instantly view your ending balance, total interest earned, and growth breakdown.
    • See an interactive chart showing contributions vs. interest growth.
    • Check the annual/monthly schedule for detailed projections.
  5. Explore Results & Tips
    • Investment Advice: Get personalized tips based on your inputs.
    • Print/Save: Export or print results for future reference.

Pro Tips

  • For long-term growth, increase compound frequency (e.g., monthly > yearly).
  • Use the inflation adjustment to compare real returns.
  • Switch between Annual/Monthly tabs to see detailed timelines.

This tool helps you visualize wealth growth for savings, retirement, or loans. Try different scenarios to optimize your financial plan!

3D bar chart showing compound interest growth over time, with gold coins stacking higher on each bar and a futuristic calculator displaying percentage returns against a blue gradient background.
Watch your money multiply! This is how compound interest works over time. Try our free calculator to see your potential growth! #CompoundEffect #SmartInvesting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Interest Calculator

1. What does this calculator do?

This tool calculates compound interest on investments, savings, or loans, accounting for:
✅ Initial deposit
✅ Regular contributions
✅ Interest compounding (daily, monthly, yearly)
✅ Taxes & inflation adjustments


2. How does compound interest work?

Compound interest means you earn interest on both your initial investment and accumulated interest over time. The more frequently interest compounds (e.g., monthly vs. yearly), the faster your money grows.

Example:

  • $10,000 at 5% annual interest = $16,288.95 in 10 years (compounded monthly).

3. Should I contribute at the beginning or end of the period?

  • Beginning: Maximizes growth (interest applies to deposits sooner).
  • End: Standard for most savings accounts.

4. Why include taxes and inflation?

  • Tax Rate: Reduces net returns (e.g., 25% tax on interest).
  • Inflation: Shows real purchasing power (e.g., $100 today ≠ $100 in 10 years).

5. What’s the difference between simple and compound interest?

Simple InterestCompound Interest
Earns interest only on the original principalEarns interest on principal + accumulated interest
Linear growthExponential growth
Rarely used in real-world investingStandard for savings, loans, and investments

6. How accurate are the results?

  • Estimates only: Assumes fixed interest rates and regular contributions.
  • Market fluctuations (e.g., stock returns) aren’t accounted for.

7. Can I use this for loans or debt?

Yes! Input:

  • Initial Investment = Loan amount
  • Interest Rate = Loan APR
  • Contributions = Monthly payments
    The calculator shows total interest paid and payoff timeline.

8. Why does my bank’s interest differ slightly?

  • Banks may use daily compounding with slight variations.
  • Fees or promotional rates aren’t reflected here.

9. How do I maximize returns?

  • Increase contributions (even small amounts add up!).
  • Choose higher compounding frequencies (e.g., monthly > yearly).
  • Reinvest dividends/interest for compounding benefits.

10. Can I save or print my results?

Yes! Click the “Print” button to export your calculation.

Scroll to Top