Finance · 5 min read
How to Calculate Future Value
A present amount grown at a constant period rate — FV = PV(1 + r)^n
Future value compounds a single present amount over a fixed number of periods. This tutorial walks through FV = PV(1 + r)^n, a $1,000 / 5% / 10-period worked example, and a playground that traces the growth curve as you change PV, r, and n. Figures are illustrative; fees and taxes are omitted.
Written by the My Calculator Stack editorial team. About our methods
These figures are illustrative. Fees, taxes, and product-specific rules are omitted. This is not investment, tax, or financial advice.
1.What future value is
Future value is what a present amount is worth after it earns a constant rate for n periods. The rate r is per period, matching n — if you have a 6% annual rate with monthly compounding, use 0.5% per period and count months. This page assumes a single deposit, a constant rate, and no extra contributions.
2.The formula
FV = PV(1 + r)^n. PV is the present amount, r is the period rate as a decimal (5% → 0.05), and n is the number of compounding periods. Each period multiplies the balance by (1 + r). After n periods the multiplier is (1 + r)^n. The same equation powers the future value calculator on this site.
\[ FV = PV(1 + r)^{n} \]
3.Worked example
Take $1,000 at 5% per period for 10 periods — the same defaults as the future value calculator. Then FV = 1000 × (1.05)^10 ≈ $1,628.89. The growth is $628.89. Raising r or n steepens the curve; PV scales the whole path.
\[ FV=1000(1.05)^{10}\approx 1628.89 \]
4.Compound growth curve
Move present value, period rate, and periods to see future value update and the growth curve redraw. This is a teaching widget — no extra deposits, no fees, no full calculator chrome. Open the future value calculator when you want the standalone tool.
Inline playground
Illustrative — fees and taxes omitted
Future value
$1,628.89
Growth $628.89
1000 × (1 + 0.05)^10 ≈ 1628.89
Illustrative only — a single present amount, constant period rate, no extra deposits.
Open the full future value calculator →5.Open the full calculator
The future value calculator uses the same FV = PV(1 + r)^n equation, the same $1,000 / 5% / 10-period example, and the same limitation that taxes and fees are omitted. Browse other finance tools if you need compound interest with a compounding frequency, inflation, or APY next.
Try it yourself
Open the related calculator and put these formulas to work.