Savings Goal Calculator
Work backwards from your savings goal: find the regular contribution needed by a deadline, or estimate when your affordable contributions could reach it.
Calculations run on this device. Your balances, debt names and results are not sent to our servers or included in analytics.
How it works
- Choose contribution needed or time to goal, then enter your target and current savings.
- Set dates, saving frequency, contribution timing and your assumed annual interest rate.
- Read the result and schedule, then copy it or download a CSV.
Two ways to plan a savings goal
Contribution needed solves for an equal deposit in each period, rounded up to the next cent. That same payable amount is used in the schedule, so the final balance may slightly exceed your target. Time to goal keeps your contribution fixed and finds the first modeled date when the target is reached. If your starting balance already meets the goal, no extra contribution or waiting time is needed. Saving 750 a month for 12 months takes 1,000 to 10,000 with no interest.
Annual rate and contribution timing
An effective annual rate includes compounding: the period rate is (1 + annual rate)^(1 / periods per year) − 1. A nominal annual rate here compounds at the selected contribution frequency, so its period rate is annual rate divided by periods per year. Beginning-of-period deposits earn interest in that period; end-of-period deposits do not.
Dates, assumptions and limits
Monthly dates use the starting day, clamped at month end. Weekly and every-two-weeks dates advance by 7 and 14 days, with 52 and 26 interest periods per year. A deadline includes only complete periods on or before that date; the estimated goal date may be earlier. The model uses a constant nonnegative rate, excludes taxes, fees and inflation, and calculates for at most 100 years. Amounts are limited to one trillion and rates to 100%; these are software limits, not suggested savings targets. Currency changes display only, not exchange rates.
Worked examples
| Starting balance | Target | Annual rate | Monthly contribution | Periods | Interest earned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000.00 | 10,000.00 | 0% | 750.00 | 12 | 0.00 |
| 1,000.00 | 10,000.00 | 6% | 348.89 | 24 | 626.75 |
| 5,000.00 | 20,000.00 | 5% | 366.24 | 36 | 1,815.74 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I calculate without interest?
Yes. Enter 0 for the annual rate. The required contribution is the remaining goal divided by the number of saving periods, rounded up to the next cent. For a target of 10 over three periods with no starting balance, save 3.34 each period to reach 10.02.
Is every two weeks the same as twice a month?
No. Every two weeks uses 26 periods per year; twice a month would use 24 and is not modeled here.
What if the goal is already reached?
The result is zero required contribution and zero waiting periods, using the start date as the estimated goal date.
What if interest rates change?
This estimate holds your entered rate constant. Recalculate when rates or your saving budget change. It does not predict or guarantee investment returns.
Sources
Last reviewed: October 11, 2026
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