1. Define the target
Enter the total amount you want available at the end of the plan.
Savings
Savings goal and emergency fund calculator
Find the monthly amount needed to reach a target. Include money already saved and an expected rate of return to compare different plans.
Required each month
$499.18
Total contributed
$69,902.14
Estimated return
$30,097.86
Contribution share of final value70%
Projected savings balance
Month 1: $10,549.18Month 1 · $10,549.18
Month 9: $15,042.68Month 9 · $15,042.68
Month 17: $19,719.08Month 17 · $19,719.08
Month 25: $24,585.85Month 25 · $24,585.85
Month 33: $29,650.74Month 33 · $29,650.74
Month 41: $34,921.80Month 41 · $34,921.80
Month 49: $40,407.42Month 49 · $40,407.42
Month 57: $46,116.36Month 57 · $46,116.36
Month 65: $52,057.68Month 65 · $52,057.68
Month 73: $58,240.86Month 73 · $58,240.86
Month 81: $64,675.74Month 81 · $64,675.74
Month 89: $71,372.56Month 89 · $71,372.56
Month 97: $78,342.00Month 97 · $78,342.00
Month 105: $85,595.13Month 105 · $85,595.13
Month 113: $93,143.52Month 113 · $93,143.52
Month 120: $100,000.00Month 120 · $100,000.00
Month 1Month 120
Hover, tap or focus a column to see its exact value.
Monthly savings plan
Detailed values use the same assumptions as the summary above.
| Month | Starting balance | Contribution | Return for month | Ending balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10,000.00 | $499.18 | $50.00 | $10,549.18 |
| 2 | $10,549.18 | $499.18 | $52.75 | $11,101.11 |
| 3 | $11,101.11 | $499.18 | $55.51 | $11,655.81 |
| 4 | $11,655.81 | $499.18 | $58.28 | $12,213.27 |
| 5 | $12,213.27 | $499.18 | $61.07 | $12,773.52 |
| 6 | $12,773.52 | $499.18 | $63.87 | $13,336.57 |
| 7 | $13,336.57 | $499.18 | $66.68 | $13,902.44 |
| 8 | $13,902.44 | $499.18 | $69.51 | $14,471.14 |
| 9 | $14,471.14 | $499.18 | $72.36 | $15,042.68 |
| 10 | $15,042.68 | $499.18 | $75.21 | $15,617.07 |
| 11 | $15,617.07 | $499.18 | $78.09 | $16,194.34 |
| 12 | $16,194.34 | $499.18 | $80.97 | $16,774.50 |
The result is a mathematical scenario, not a guarantee of future returns.
Calculation method
How the required contribution is calculated
First, the calculator projects the future value of current savings. It then spreads the remaining target across monthly contributions and applies compound growth to each contribution.
Detailed guide
How much to save each month for a financial goal
A savings goal calculator works backward from a target amount and deadline. It first projects the money already saved, then solves for the equal end-of-month contribution required to close the remaining gap.
The calculation is useful for an emergency fund, down payment, major purchase or any target with a known amount and time horizon.
Build a savings plan
2. Add current savings
Include money already reserved for the goal so its future growth reduces the amount still required.
3. Test the deadline
Compare different terms and returns to find a monthly amount that fits your cash flow.
Monthly contribution formula
PMT = (FV − P(1 + r)ⁿ) × r ÷ ((1 + r)ⁿ − 1)
FV is the target, P is current savings, r is the monthly rate and n is the number of months. When the rate is zero, the remaining target is divided evenly across the term.
If current savings can already grow to the target under the chosen assumptions, the required new contribution is zero.
Savings goal example
For a $100,000 goal in 10 years with $10,000 already saved and a 6% nominal annual return, the calculator solves the monthly deposit and shows how much of the target comes from contributions versus estimated growth.
Use the result realistically
Emergency-fund targets
A common approach is to multiply essential monthly expenses by the number of months of coverage you want, then use that amount as the target.
Variable returns
For short-term goals held in cash, use the account rate. For invested goals, test a lower-return scenario and remember that losses can occur near the deadline.
Contribution cadence
The current model assumes equal end-of-month deposits. Weekly or irregular deposits with the same timing will produce a slightly different result.
Decision guide
Turn the savings result into a workable plan
Top savings-goal pages connect the target amount, deadline, starting balance, recurring deposit, and expected yield. The most useful answer is not a single required deposit; it is a plan that remains feasible when the target price changes or a contribution is missed.
Set the target in future dollars
If the purchase is years away, today’s price may understate the amount you will need. Increase the target for expected price growth or run a separate inflation scenario. Give the deadline a specific month so the number of deposits matches the real saving window.
Check the deposit against cash flow
A required contribution should fit after essential spending and emergency savings. If it does not, compare a later deadline, a lower target, and a larger initial deposit before assuming an aggressive return. A plan that only works with unusually high growth has little room for error.
Build in a margin
Fees, missed deposits, and unexpected price changes can create a shortfall. Consider reaching the target early or adding a buffer to the amount. Then calculate a zero-return or low-return case to see how much of the plan is supported by your own deposits.
A resilient goal plan
- Use a future target price.
- Choose a specific deadline.
- Keep the deposit affordable.
- Add a time or amount buffer.
How to compare scenarios
Save a baseline, then change only one input at a time: amount, rate, term, or recurring payment. Record the supporting outputs as well as the headline result—contributions, interest, total cost, remaining balance, or target date. This isolates the assumption that actually changes the decision instead of hiding it inside several simultaneous edits.
Do not tune every assumption until the calculator produces a preferred answer. Start with a cautious case, follow with a central case, and treat the favorable case as an upside scenario. A calculator result is not a lender quote, market forecast, or tax determination; actual dates, rounding, fees, contract rules, and required payments must be checked in primary documents.
Keep enough precision in the inputs and round only the output used for a decision. If the estimate supports a transaction, loan, tax calculation, or long-term plan, repeat it with figures from the contract or official statement. Any difference helps identify the assumption that still needs verification.
Savings goal questions
What if I already have enough saved?
The calculator reports a required monthly contribution of zero when the projected current balance reaches the target.
Should I include inflation in the target?
For a future purchase, estimate its future cost first or increase the target to reflect expected inflation.
Is the rate guaranteed?
No. It is an input for comparing scenarios, not a promise of account or investment performance.
Are contributions made at the beginning or end of each month?
They are modeled at the end of each month.
Updated: July 28, 2026
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