Everyday financial tools
Savings goal calculator
Calculate the monthly saving needed to reach a future target, allowing for existing savings and an editable annual return.
Your inputs
Your estimate
Monthly deposits at month end. Future return is an assumption; tax, fees and inflation are excluded.
How this calculation works
Monthly saving = max(0, target − existing savings × (1+r)^n) ÷ [((1+r)^n − 1) ÷ r]. At 0%, divide the shortfall by the number of months.
Method reviewed: November 2, 2026. Reference: Investor.gov savings goal calculator ↗
Show yearly balance summary
When to use this calculator
Work backwards from a future savings target to a monthly contribution. This helps compare a longer saving period with a higher monthly commitment.
Choosing the inputs
The target is an amount in future money. Existing savings are allowed to grow first, and the monthly contribution fills the remaining gap using end-of-month payments. All future returns are assumptions.
Worked example
To build 12,000 from zero over one year with no return, save 1,000 per month. If the projected value of existing savings already exceeds the target, the required new contribution is zero.
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