What is an investment calculator?
It is a tool that projects how an investment could grow over time from the figures you enter — a starting amount, regular contributions, an expected return, a time horizon, and assumptions for inflation and fees. It shows the future value, total invested, growth, and inflation-adjusted value. The output is an educational projection, not a forecast or a guarantee.
How do I use the Lump Sum mode?
Pick Lump Sum, enter the one-off amount, an expected annual return, the number of years, and a compounding frequency. The calculator shows the future value (FV = P × (1 + r)^t), the total gain, the inflation-adjusted value, the real CAGR after inflation, and the Rule-of-72 doubling time, plus a year-by-year table.
What is the difference between this and the SIP calculator?
This page is the master accumulation calculator with four modes. The SIP / Regular Investment Calculator is focused specifically on recurring monthly investing, dollar-cost averaging, step-ups, and contribution sensitivity. Use Contributions mode here for a quick projection, or the SIP page for deeper recurring-investment planning.
Does it include inflation?
Yes. With inflation adjustment on, it shows the inflation-adjusted (real) value — what the projected balance could buy in today’s money — and the real CAGR. A large future balance buys less after years of rising prices, so the real value is often the better gauge of progress.
How does the expense ratio affect mutual fund returns?
An expense ratio is an annual percentage the fund charges, deducted from returns. Even a small ratio compounds against you: over decades, a 1% expense ratio can remove a meaningful share of the final value. The Mutual Fund mode shows the drag versus a no-fee version and a fee-sensitivity table.
Does this calculator include tax?
Optionally, as a simplified estimate. You can enter a tax rate that is applied to the total gain at the end of the horizon. Real tax depends on your country, account type, holding period, and income — treat the figure as an estimate and confirm specifics with an official source or a qualified professional.
Are the returns guaranteed?
No. Investment returns are not guaranteed and can be negative. The smooth growth shown here assumes a constant return, which real markets do not deliver. Actual results vary with market performance, fees, taxes, inflation, and timing. Use the figures as an illustration, not a promise.
What is the Rule of 72?
The Rule of 72 is a quick mental estimate of how long an investment takes to double: divide 72 by the annual return percentage. At 8% a year, money roughly doubles every nine years. It is an approximation that works best for mid-range rates.
What is real CAGR?
Real CAGR is the compound annual growth rate after stripping out inflation: (1 + nominal return) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1. It shows how fast your purchasing power grows, which is usually more meaningful than the nominal rate.
Can I download my projection?
Yes. Every mode generates a premium Excel workbook from your current inputs — a formula-driven model with the inputs, a summary dashboard, year-by-year and month-by-month schedules, scenario comparison, inflation and fee impact, a goal solver, chart data, formula notes, and sources. A CSV and a copy-summary option are also available.
Is a lump sum better than investing gradually?
It depends. In steadily rising markets, investing a lump sum early can win because the money works sooner. In volatile markets, spreading contributions can reduce timing risk. For most people investing from income, regular contributions are the natural fit. This is general context, not a recommendation.
Why are my real results different from the calculator?
Real markets do not return a fixed rate each year, so actual balances rise and fall around the smooth projection. Fees, taxes, fund costs, paused contributions, and the order of good and bad years all change the outcome. The calculator is a planning estimate, not a record of what any account will do.