Long-term ETF planner

ETF Investment Calculator

Estimate what a starting amount plus regular monthly investing could grow to in popular ETFs — after fees, and in today's money if you like.

$
$
yrs
%
CSPX default: 8% a yearA round planning assumption for the S&P 500, not a guaranteed or historical figure. Change it above.
Subtract fund feesCSPX TER 0.07% a year
Show in today's moneyAdjust for inflation
Currency

Estimated result

CSPX · 7.93% net
$101,242

Estimated CSPX value after 25 years

You put in
$31,000
Investment growth
$70,242

69% of your final balance would come from growth, not from money you paid in.

Fees of 0.07% a year would cost about $1,201 over 25 years.

Return scenarios

Lower · 5%
$62,354
Base · 8%
$101,242
Higher · 11%
$170,889

Projected growth

Hover or tap the chart for any year
CSPX balanceYour contributions
$0$30k$60k$90k$120kNowYr 2Yr 4Yr 6Yr 8Yr 10Yr 12Yr 14Yr 16Yr 18Yr 20Yr 22Yr 25

Assumes monthly compounding at a constant rate, with contributions at the end of each month. Educational estimate only: markets rise and fall, and taxes, fees, currency movements and trading costs change real results.

How this calculator works

You choose an ETF (or a custom return), a starting amount, a monthly contribution and a number of years. The calculator grows your balance month by month at the assumed annual return divided by 12, adding your contribution at the end of each month. Fund fees, when switched on, are subtracted from the return first.

The formula

FV = P × (1 + r)n + PMT × [((1 + r)n − 1) ÷ r]
r = (annual return − fee) ÷ 12 · n = years × 12

P is your initial amount, PMT is your monthly contribution and FV is the future value.

A worked example

Invest $1,000 today and $100 every month for 25 years at an assumed 8% a year. You pay in $31,000 in total. The estimated balance is $102,443, meaning about $71,443 — more than two-thirds of the result — comes from compounding rather than from your own contributions.

That is the core idea of long-term ETF investing: time does most of the work, so starting earlier usually matters more than starting bigger.

Choosing an ETF

  • Global funds such as VWRA or VT hold thousands of companies worldwide in one fund.
  • S&P 500 funds such as CSPX, VUAA and VOO focus on the 500 largest US companies.
  • Nasdaq-100 funds such as QQQ and CNDX lean toward technology, with bigger swings.
  • Bond funds such as AGGH and BND grow more slowly but steady a portfolio.

If you live outside the US, Irish-domiciled (UCITS) funds like VWRA and CSPX are often preferred because of lower dividend withholding tax and simpler estate rules than US-domiciled funds. Check your own tax situation.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this ETF calculator?

The math is exact for the inputs you give it, but the inputs are assumptions. Real ETF returns vary every year, sometimes sharply. Use the lower and higher scenarios to see a range rather than relying on one number.

Why is the default return 8% for S&P 500 ETFs?

It is a round, deliberately conservative planning figure, not a historical average or a forecast. Change it to whatever you consider realistic; many investors also test 5–6% to see a cautious case.

Does the calculator include ETF fees?

Yes. When 'Subtract fund fees' is on, the fund's total expense ratio (TER) is deducted from the annual return before compounding, and the result shows roughly how much those fees cost over your timeline.

What does 'in today's money' mean?

Inflation makes money worth less over time. Turning on the inflation adjustment divides the future balance by cumulative inflation, so you can see what it would buy at today's prices.

Are taxes included?

No. Dividend withholding tax, capital gains tax and other taxes depend on where you live and the fund's domicile. Results are before personal tax.

Can I share my plan?

Yes. Every input is saved in the page address. Use 'Copy link to this plan' and anyone who opens it sees the same numbers.