A worked example
Saving toward a $50,000 goal, starting with $5,000, depositing $400 a month at a 6% return, reaches the goal in about 7 years 2 months — having personally contributed roughly $39,400 of that total.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from the Compound Interest Calculator?
Compound Interest asks 'how much will I have after N years?' This asks the reverse: 'how many years until I reach a specific target?' — useful when the goal amount matters more to you than a fixed timeline.
What if the calculator says I'll never reach my goal?
That means your monthly deposit and return rate combined aren't enough to get there within 100 years — increase the monthly deposit, extend your assumed return, or set a smaller goal to see a real timeline.
This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not financial advice.