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CalcTortoise

Savings Goal Calculator

Find out what to invest each month, or as a lump sum, to reach a goal by a date — in today’s dollars, with inflation taken into account.

Written by the CalcTortoise editorial team · How we work

Start from an example

Example amounts only; change anything to match your own plans.

This amount is in
years
Assumed: 3% inflation. Change

$100,000 of today's money is $134,392 in 10 years. US prices rose 3% a year on average from 1928 to 2025.

Money already put aside, if any. It counts towards the goal.

How you will invest

Tick one or more. Then enter the amounts you already plan, and pick the one that fills the gap.

  • Monthly investingThe same amount every month into a fund

    Monthly amount: worked out to reach the goal.

    Assumed, not predicted.

  • Lump sumOne amount invested today

    Assumed, not predicted.

Monthly investing needed each month

$660

Goal in 10 years
$134,392
Goal in today's money
$100,000
You put in
$89,200
Growth
$45,374

Illustration only, not investment, tax or legal advice. Returns are assumed, not predicted.

Your plan reaches $134,574 in 10 years: the goal of $134,392 with $182 to spare (from rounding the amount up).

What each part grows to
  • Monthly investing (fills the gap)
    $660 a month → $114,902
  • Lump sum
    $10,000 today → $19,672
Your plan against the goalYour planGoal

Year-by-year plan

YearInvestedReturnsValue
Year 1$17,920$1,007$18,927
Year 2$25,840$2,657$28,497
Year 3$33,760$4,998$38,758
Year 4$41,680$8,079$49,759
Year 5$49,600$11,952$61,552
Year 6$57,520$16,677$74,197
Year 7$65,440$22,313$87,753
Year 8$73,360$28,927$102,287
Year 9$81,280$36,588$117,868
Year 10$89,200$45,374$134,574

How to use this calculator

  1. Pick an example goal or enter your own amount and timeline.
  2. Choose whether the amount is in today’s dollars or future dollars.
  3. Tick how you’ll invest, enter what you already plan, and choose what fills the gap.

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to save each month to reach a goal?

It depends on the goal, the time you have and the return you expect. For $100,000 in today’s dollars in 10 years, with $10,000 invested now at 7% and 3% inflation, you’d need about $660 a month — the goal grows to $134,392 by then.

Why is my goal bigger in future dollars?

Prices rise. A goal of $100,000 today will cost about $134,392 in 10 years at 3% inflation, and that’s the amount the plan aims for.

Can I combine a lump sum and monthly contributions?

Yes. Tick more than one way to invest, enter the amounts you already plan, and choose which one fills the gap.

What about a 529 plan for college?

This calculator works for any account. A dedicated 529 calculator is on the way; for now, use your 529 plan’s expected return here.

Sources and method

Standard compound-interest formulas, tested against worked examples. Nothing here depends on outside data; the rates you type in are your own assumptions.

No outside data is used. The numbers you type in are the only inputs.

Page and formula last reviewed . How we calculate · Editorial policy · Corrections and change log

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Last updated 9 October 2026. For information only — not financial advice. Check the final figures with your lender or bank.