Investment Return Calculator
Calculate compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from a known final value, or project a future value from monthly contributions.
How to use
- 1
'Find return' — enter what you put in, what it's worth now, and how long it took. The calculator tells you the annualised return (CAGR).
- 2
'Project FV' — enter a starting amount + monthly contribution + expected return. The calculator projects the final value after N years.
- 3
Toggle between modes with the switch at the top.
Frequently asked questions
Compound Annual Growth Rate — the smoothed annual return that would have produced your actual final value from your starting value. If $10,000 grew to $20,000 in 7 years, the CAGR is (20000/10000)^(1/7) − 1 = 10.4%. CAGR is the honest way to compare investments held for different periods.
Diversified global stock index funds have returned ~7-10% nominal historically (S&P 500 is closer to 10%, MSCI World ~7-8%). Subtract ~2-3% if you want a real (inflation-adjusted) figure. Bonds: 2-4%. Cash savings in UAE: 1-5% depending on the bank. Pick a conservative number — better to be surprised positively.
Total return is the simple percentage change (100% if your money doubled). CAGR is the annualised version — how much it grew per year on average. Over long periods, the gap widens. 100% total over 10 years = only 7.2% CAGR, because of compounding.
No — it's a gross return calculator. In the UAE there's no personal capital gains tax, but you may pay management fees (~0.1-2% per year for ETFs/funds) and FX spreads if buying foreign assets. Subtract those from the annual return for a realistic number.
A common rule is 15-20% of gross income for long-term investing (retirement, financial independence). Start with what you can sustain — even AED 500/month at 7% for 30 years grows to ~AED 587k.
Help us improve this calculator
What's missing or wrong? What would make this more useful for you? Every suggestion lands in our inbox.
Related tools
Compound Interest
See how a starting amount and monthly savings grow over time
Savings Goal
Monthly required to hit a target — or time required at current rate
Retirement
Project nest egg + monthly income using the 4% safe withdrawal rule
Net Worth
Assets minus debts, with debt-to-asset ratio and breakdown
Source: Standard time-value-of-money formulas · Last verified 2026-06. This tool provides estimates only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Always verify your specific situation with the relevant UAE authority or a licensed advisor before taking action.