Saving & Investing

Savings Goal Calculator

Whether you're saving for a wedding, a down payment, or an emergency fund, this calculator works backward from your target amount and deadline to tell you the exact monthly contribution required.

$0.00 / month

Current Savings Grows To
Total You Will Contribute

How It Works

This is a reverse annuity calculation. Your current savings are first projected forward with interest, then the shortfall between that projection and your goal is spread evenly across the remaining months, also accounting for the interest each future contribution will earn before your deadline. If interest earned already gets you there, the required monthly contribution will simply show as zero.

Worked Example

Saving toward a $15,000 goal with $2,000 already set aside, at 4% annual interest, over 24 months requires contributing about $515/month. The existing $2,000 grows to roughly $2,166 on its own over those two years, leaving a gap of about $12,834 that your monthly contributions — plus the interest they earn along the way — need to close. Stretch the timeline to 36 months instead and the required contribution drops to around $335/month, showing how much breathing room a slightly longer deadline can buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can't afford the monthly amount it suggests?
Try extending your timeline in months, lowering the goal amount, or looking for a higher-yield savings account — small increases in either time or rate can meaningfully lower the required monthly contribution.
Should I use my checking account's interest rate or a high-yield savings rate?
Use the rate of the account where the money will actually sit while you save. High-yield savings accounts typically offer meaningfully better rates than standard checking or basic savings accounts.

Related Tools & Guides