A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt)
In the standard formula, P is principal, r is annual rate, n is compounding periods per year, t is years, and A is the final amount.
Capital Growth Simulator
Compound Calculator | Capital Growth Simulator
Estimate how capital may grow from your starting amount, return rate, and number of compounding periods.
Compound Inputs
You can treat the capital value as any unit, such as dollars, won, coins, or points.
Compound Results
These results are mathematical estimates from your inputs, not guaranteed returns.
Capital Growth Chart
The chart shows each step from your starting capital to the final result.
Chart View
Step Table
The table lists each compounding period. On smaller screens, each row is presented as a compact report card.
| Step | Starting Capital | Profit | Total Capital | Cumulative Return |
|---|
Export and Share
Compound growth guide
Review the formula, path, and assumptions behind the projection
This calculator is a transparent compound-growth model. It helps you compare repeated compounding with a simple-growth path, but it does not include real-world account frictions unless you adjust the inputs yourself.
Period-based model
The page applies your return rate once per period: final amount = starting capital x (1 + period return)^period count.
Match the period
If your return rate is monthly, use monthly periods. If it is annual, use annual periods or convert the rate before entering it.
1,000 at 5% for 10 periods
The compound path applies 5% to the updated amount at every step. The simple comparison applies 5% to the original 1,000 each time.
Chart and table
The chart shows the curve. The table shows each period's starting capital, profit, total capital, and cumulative return.
Not a market forecast
Taxes, fees, inflation, deposits, withdrawals, changing returns, and trading costs are not included unless you approximate them manually.
Responsible use: Treat the result as a mathematical scenario. It is not financial advice and cannot predict investment returns.
What does this compound calculator do?
This calculator applies the same return rate repeatedly to estimate a possible compound capital path.
It also shows a simple comparison so you can see how compounding changes the result over time.
How should return rate and compounding periods be read?
Return rate is the assumed gain or loss for one compounding period. A 5% rate and 30 periods means applying 5% growth 30 times.
The number of compounding periods controls how many steps appear in the chart and table.
How is compound growth different from simple growth?
Compound growth applies each return to the updated capital after the previous step.
Simple growth applies the return to the original starting capital each time, so the two paths can separate as the period count increases.
Important limitations
This tool does not include slippage, taxes, liquidation rules, leverage, position sizing changes, liquidity, or execution constraints.
It is an educational simulation only and does not guarantee any trading or investment result.
Verify the result
What happens when 5% is applied to 100 thirty times?
Enter starting capital 100, return rate 5%, and 30 periods. Compound growth multiplies the updated capital by 1.05 each time: the first two values are 105 and 110.25. Simple growth adds 5% of the original 100 each time, giving 105 and then 110.
With an unchanged rate, compound final capital is C × (1 + r)ⁿ and simple final capital is C × (1 + r × n). Here r is the percentage input divided by 100 and n is the number of applications. This example compares two calculations; it is not a record of investment performance.
Compound: approximately 432.194238
100 × 1.05³⁰ = 432.194237515…
- Starting capital: 100
- Total profit: approximately 332.194238
- Capital multiple: approximately 4.321942
Simple: 250
100 × (1 + 0.05 × 30) = 250
- Profit per step: 5
- Total profit after 30 steps: 150
- Compound minus simple in this example: approximately 182.194238
Units and loss recovery
Match the period to the rate and distinguish a loss from its recovery
The period count does not automatically mean years. If 5% is your assumed annual rate, 30 applications represent 30 years. If it is a monthly rate, 30 applications represent 30 months. The rate and the number of periods need a consistent time basis.
Repeated-return mode applies one unchanged rate to the starting amount. Monthly saving mode accepts an effective annual return, duration, monthly contribution and payment timing. Its equivalent monthly rate is (1 + annual return)^(1/12) − 1. Withdrawals and changing rates are not supported. A changing-rate example such as the loss and recovery below needs separate calculations for each stage.
A 50% gain does not reverse a 50% loss
A 50% loss takes 100 to 50. A subsequent 50% gain takes the remaining 50 to 75, which is still 25% below the starting value.
- Loss: 100 × 0.5 = 50
- Then a 50% gain: 50 × 1.5 = 75
Returning from 50 to 100 requires a 100% gain
The required return uses the remaining capital as its base.
- Required return: (100 ÷ 50 − 1) × 100 = 100%
- Verify with capital 50, return 100%, and one period → 100
- This identifies a required percentage, not the likelihood or time needed to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this compound calculator guarantee actual returns?
No. It is an educational simulation based on your inputs and does not guarantee actual results.
What does return rate mean?
It is the assumed return applied once per compounding step.
What is the difference between compound and simple calculation?
Compound calculation applies each step to the updated capital. Simple calculation applies the return to the original starting capital each time.
Can I calculate negative return rates?
Yes. Negative values are allowed for mathematical simulation, but rates below -100% can create negative capital and may not reflect real trading mechanics.
Disclaimer
This calculator is an educational simulation tool based on the starting capital, return rate, and compounding periods you enter. It does not guarantee actual results and is not investment advice.