Question 1

What is compound interest?

Accepted Answer

Compound interest is when you earn interest on both your initial investment (principal) and the interest you've already earned. Over time, this creates exponential growth as your interest earns interest.

Question 2

How is the interest calculated?

Accepted Answer

This calculator uses monthly compounding. Each month, your Monthly Contribution is added first, then interest is applied to the new balance. The Final Amount is the last month's total, so the headline figures always match the growth chart.

Question 3

What's a realistic interest rate?

Accepted Answer

Historical stock market returns average around 7-10% annually. Conservative investments like bonds typically yield 3-5%, while savings accounts offer 1-3%. Your actual returns will vary based on your investment choices.

Question 4

Can I use this for retirement planning?

Accepted Answer

Yes! This calculator is perfect for retirement planning. Enter your current savings, monthly contribution amount, expected return rate, and years until retirement to see how much you'll have saved.

Compound Interest Calculator

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