Turn a future target into a monthly plan

Savings goal calculator

Calculate the monthly contribution needed to reach a savings target from your current balance, timeline, and expected return.

End-of-month savingMonthly compoundingConstant return

Calculator inputs

Results update as you edit, and the share button copies a link to the current inputs.

Savings target

USD

Enter the amount you want at the end of the period.

Current savings

USD

Money already set aside for this goal.

Time to goal

years

The time from today to the target date.

Expected annual return

Assumes a constant return before taxes and fees.

Results

The monthly contribution needed to reach the target on time.

Estimate

Required monthly saving$1,143

Savings target$100,000

Estimated contributions: $88,602
Estimated investment gain: $11,398
Projected current savings: $24,333

Assumes equal end-of-month contributions and a constant return. Taxes, fees, inflation, and market volatility are not included.

Calculator inputs

Results update as you edit, and the share button copies a link to the current inputs.

100,000

20,000

Results

The monthly contribution needed to reach the target on time.

Estimate

Required monthly saving$1,143

Savings target$100,000

Estimated contributions: $88,602
Estimated investment gain: $11,398
Projected current savings: $24,333

Assumes equal end-of-month contributions and a constant return. Taxes, fees, inflation, and market volatility are not included.

How the required monthly saving is calculated

First project the current balance, then spread the remaining target across equal end-of-month contributions.

Grow the current savings

Apply the expected return to today's balance for the full period.

Future current savings = current savings × (1 + monthly return)^months

Find the remaining target

Subtract the projected current balance from the goal.

Remaining target = target - future current savings

Solve for the monthly saving

Calculate the equal end-of-month contribution needed for the remaining target.

Monthly saving = remaining target × rate ÷ ((1 + rate)^months - 1)

What this calculator assumes

The same amount is contributed at each month end.
The expected return stays constant.
No other withdrawals or contributions affect the current balance.
Taxes, fees, inflation, and volatility are excluded.

Building $100,000 in five years

Starting with $20,000 and assuming a 4% annual return.

Required monthly saving: About $1,143
Estimated contributions: About $88,602
Estimated investment gain: About $11,398

If actual returns change, the monthly amount needed to reach the goal will change too.

Frequently asked questions

Understand how the current balance and expected return affect the plan.

What if my current savings are already enough?

If the current balance is projected to exceed the target, the required monthly saving is shown as zero.

Can I use a 0% return?

Yes. The remaining target is divided evenly across all months with no investment growth.

Does this include inflation?

The calculator uses the target amount you enter. If the goal is in today's purchasing power, adjust the target for expected inflation first.