Savings calculator

Savings Goal Calculator

Calculate the monthly amount required to reach a target and compare it with the contribution you plan to make. Growth is an optional constant assumption, not a forecast.

Monthly amount required—

Projected balance—

Projected difference—

Modeled outcome—

—

Projected target coverage

—

projected balance ÷ target

Planned contributions—

Modeled growth—

Time to target at planned rate—

How this projection works

Current savings grow monthly at the rate implied by the effective annual assumption. Contributions are added at the end of each month. The required contribution solves for the amount that reaches the target at the selected horizon.

The rate remains constant and the model excludes tax, fees, inflation, withdrawals and changing contributions. Use 0% when growth is uncertain or irrelevant.

Method

A target has three separate drivers.

The result changes with the starting balance, time available and assumed rate. Increasing the rate can reduce the required contribution mathematically, but an assumed return is not guaranteed.

Monthly rate(1 + annual rate)^(1/12) − 1

Starting balance valuecurrent savings × (1 + monthly rate)^months

Contribution timingend of each month

Roundingcalculated precisely; displayed to currency units

Planning order

Give short- and long-term money different jobs.

A target for next year's tax bill should not inherit the same risk assumptions as a target decades away. Time horizon affects liquidity needs and how much uncertainty the plan can tolerate.

Compare short-, medium- and long-term financial goals →

Separate resilience

Do not let a planned purchase absorb emergency cash by accident.

Model the emergency reserve independently before treating all savings as available for one goal.

Open emergency fund calculator