The 8th wonder of the world. Drag the sliders and watch your wealth build.
Compound growth means earning returns on your returns — not just on what you originally invested. A small amount invested for a long time can grow into something extraordinary because the growth accelerates over time.
Example: $10,000 invested at 7% per year grows to $19,672 in 10 years. But wait another 20 years (30 years total) and it's $76,123 — without adding another cent. The growth in the final decade dwarfs the first two decades combined.
This is why time in the market matters more than almost anything else. Starting 10 years earlier can be worth more than doubling your contributions.
The calculator shows three lines: your contributions (what you actually put in), your investment returns (the compounding effect), and the total portfolio value. The gap between contributions and total value is money created by compound growth.
Not sure what annual return to use? A diversified global share ETF has returned approximately 7–9% per year over the long run after inflation. Conservative estimates use 6–7%.
Compound growth is the single most powerful force in personal finance. It means your investment returns earn their own returns, creating exponential growth over time. Albert Einstein reportedly called it the eighth wonder of the world — and whether or not he actually said that, the math speaks for itself.
The key insight: time matters more than amount. Someone who invests $500/month starting at age 25 will have more at 65 than someone who invests $1,000/month starting at 35, assuming the same returns. The extra decade of compounding outweighs the double contribution. This is why starting early, even with small amounts, beats waiting until you can afford larger investments.
This calculator lets you model different scenarios: adjust your starting amount, monthly contributions, return rate, and time horizon, and watch the compound growth curve bend upward on the chart.