Goal-Based Calculator
Most calculators ask "what will I have?" This one asks "what do I need to do?" Enter your target wealth and we'll solve for the contribution, principal, rate, or time needed.
Goal-Based Calculator
Enter your target wealth and choose what to solve for. We'll figure out the rest.
Required Monthly Contribution
$974.31
To reach $1,000,000.00 in 25 years at 8% annual return.
Target
$1,000,000.00
Principal
$10,000.00
Annual Rate
8%
Years
25
How to use this calculator
- Solve for contribution: Find out exactly how much you need to save each month to reach your goal.
- Solve for rate: Discover the annual return needed for your existing plan to hit your target.
- Solve for time: Find out how long it will take to reach your goal at current rates.
- Solve for principal: Determine the lump-sum needed today to reach your future target.
Plan backward from your goal
Instead of guessing where compound interest will take you, start with the destination. Want $1,000,000 in 25 years? The calculator tells you exactly how much to deposit each month at any given rate. Want to know if 6% returns are enough to reach $500,000 in 15 years? Switch to "Solve for: rate" and find out.
Common goal-based questions
- How much to save monthly to retire with $1M? Solve for contribution.
- What rate of return do I need to fund college in 15 years? Solve for rate.
- How long until my $50K becomes $200K at 7%? Solve for time.
- What lump-sum today equals $750K in 20 years at 6%? Solve for principal.
Goal Calculator — FAQ
How does the goal-based calculator work?
Most calculators ask 'what will I have?' This one asks 'what do I need?' Enter your target amount and three of: principal, rate, time, contribution. The calculator solves for the missing fourth — using a numerical solver under the hood.
Can I solve for the rate of return needed?
Yes. Set "Solve for: rate" and enter your target, principal, contribution, and years. The calculator returns the annual rate of return required to hit your goal — useful for sanity-checking aggressive plans.
How accurate are the results?
The solver uses bisection with 80 iterations, accurate to many decimal places. Results match standard financial-calculator output to the cent.