EDUCATIONAL PROJECTION · FREE · NO LOGIN
Compounding calculator
Explore how a fixed, hypothetical return per period compounds — and why real results never look like this.
Results
Estimate · not adviceEnter your values or load the illustrative example. Results update as you type.
- Projected final balance
- —
- Total change
- —
- Same periods at half the rate
- —
How it’s calculated
Balanceₙ = balanceₙ₋₁ × (1 + r) × (1 − w), applied for each period. This assumes an identical return every period, no losing periods, no costs and no taxes — none of which hold in real trading.
Read the related learning guideFrequently asked
Is this a forecast?
No. It is an arithmetic illustration. Trading returns are uncertain and can be negative; nothing here is assured.
Why show half the rate?
Small changes in assumed return change the outcome dramatically — a reminder of how fragile projections are.
Can I model losses?
Yes. Enter a negative return per period.
Educational estimates only — not investment advice or order instructions. No live prices are used.