Compound Interest Calculator

Select Want to calculate either Present Value, Interest Rate, Number of Periods or Future Value from the other three.

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Learn more atCompound Interest.

Present Value (PV): The money we start with right now
Interest Rate: The percentage rate at which our money grows each period
Number of Periods: How many times the interest is calculated (usually years)
Future Value (FV): The total money we'll have at the end

Try setting these values in the calculator:

Present Value (PV): $1000 (your starting money)
Interest Rate: 10% (per year)
Number of Periods: 2 periods (years)

Select Want next to Future Value. What do you get? Is it $1200 or $1210? Why does that extra $10 appear? (Hint: It's the interest earning interest!)