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Compound Interest Table

Read compound and present value factors by rate and year, or compare capital growth with optional savings payments.

Available

Inputs

Enter values

Live
Capital growthCompare capital and savings payments at several rates
€

The amount initially invested.

€

Optional regular deposit.

%

Annual increase of the savings rate in percent.

Observation period in full years.

%

Interest rate for the first scenario (required).

%

Optional interest rate for comparison.

%

Optional interest rate for comparison.

%

Optional interest rate for comparison.

%

Optional interest rate for comparison.

Load example

For illustration only – your own calculation is what counts.

Explanation

How Compound Interest Table works

A classic compound interest table arranges years and rates as a matrix. The factor view shows multipliers for future and present values; the capital view shows amounts with optional savings payments.

Compound and present value factorsCompound factor = (1 + i)^n; present value factor = 1 / (1 + i)^n

i is the rate per period and n the number of periods. At 5% over two years: 1.1025 and about 0.907029.

The compound interest table shows the annual capital development for up to five different interest rates side by side. This allows direct comparison of investment options — whether overnight deposits, fixed deposits, or ETF returns.

Compound interest (lump-sum investment)K_end = K₀ × (1 + r/n)^(n × t)

K0 is the initial capital, r the annual interest rate as a decimal, n the compounding frequency per year, and t the duration in years.

Savings plan with rate increaseSavings rate(year) = PMT × (1 + d)^(year - 1)

PMT is the initial savings rate, d the annual rate increase as a decimal. The rate increases each year by the dynamic percentage.

The comparison shows the exponential effect of compound interest: small differences in interest rates lead to large differences in results over long periods. The table makes this effect visible and supports informed investment decisions.

Knowledge

Understanding compound interest in comparison

Why small interest differences have large long-term impacts and how the comparison table helps with investment decisions.

The compound interest effect works exponentially: each year, not only the initial capital but also the previously accrued interest earns interest. This accelerates growth with increasing duration.

  • A difference of 2 percentage points can double the result after 30 years.
  • With regular savings rates, the effect is amplified by ever-increasing compounded amounts.
  • Rate increase simulates growing savings capacity over the years.
  • Rule of 72: 72 / interest rate = approximate doubling time in years.
  • More frequent compounding (monthly instead of annually) slightly increases the yield.

Practice

Practical examples

For illustration only – your own calculation is what counts.

Comparison of 2%, 4%, 6% with EUR 10,000 over 20 years

EUR 10,000 is invested as a lump sum. How does capital develop at 2%, 4%, and 6% interest over 20 years in comparison?

Result: After 20 years: at 2% approx. EUR 14,859, at 4% approx. EUR 21,911, at 6% approx. EUR 32,071. The difference between 2% and 6% is over EUR 17,000.

Zinseszins- und Barwertfaktor für 2 Jahre bei 2 %

Wie verändern 2 % Zinsen über 2 Jahre den Endwert und den Barwert?

Result: Der Zinseszinsfaktor beträgt 1,0404; der Barwertfaktor rund 0,961169.

Savings plan EUR 200/month at 3%, 5%, 7% over 30 years

EUR 200 are saved monthly. How does the result differ at 3%, 5%, and 7% annual return after 30 years?

Result: After 30 years: at 3% approx. EUR 116,547, at 5% approx. EUR 166,452, at 7% approx. EUR 243,994. Higher return leads to disproportionately more wealth.

Lump-sum EUR 50,000: Overnight vs. Fixed vs. ETF return

EUR 50,000 is invested as a lump sum. Comparison: overnight deposit (1.5%), fixed deposit (3%), and long-term ETF return (7%) over 15 years.

Result: After 15 years: overnight approx. EUR 62,512, fixed deposit approx. EUR 77,898, ETF approx. EUR 137,952. The higher return makes a difference of over EUR 75,000.

Savings rate with 3% increase vs. without increase

EUR 300 monthly at 5% interest over 25 years. Once without increase, once with 3% annual rate increase. How big is the difference?

Result: Without increase: approx. EUR 178,653 (EUR 90,000 deposited). With 3% increase: approx. EUR 241,525 (EUR 131,253 deposited). The increase brings approx. EUR 63,000 more final capital.

Without rate increase€178,652.91
With 3% rate increase€241,524.64

Short vs. long term with same total deposits

Scenario A: EUR 500/month, 10 years. Scenario B: EUR 250/month, 20 years. Both deposit EUR 60,000. How does the doubled term affect results at 5% interest?

Result: Scenario A (10 years): approx. EUR 77,641. Scenario B (20 years): approx. EUR 102,758. The longer term brings approx. EUR 25,000 more despite lower rates — compound interest needs time.

EUR 500/month, 10 years€77,641.14
EUR 250/month, 20 years€102,758.42

Notes

Common mistakes

  1. Extrapolating past returns directly into the future

    Historical average returns (e.g. 7-8% for equities) are no guarantee for the future. Individual decades can be significantly above or below. The table shows scenarios, not forecasts.

    Calculate different scenarios (optimistic, neutral, conservative) and use the table as guidance, not as a forecast.

  2. Interpreting gross scenarios as net results

    The table shows gross returns without taxes and costs. An ETF with 7% gross return delivers approx. 4-5% after taxes and costs in real terms. The comparison of different scenarios still remains meaningful.

    For a realistic assessment, deduct approx. 1-2% from the gross interest rate.

  3. Assuming unrealistically high rate increase

    A 5-7% annual rate increase sounds moderate, but leads to a tripling or quadrupling of the savings rate after 20 years. Check whether the resulting rate is realistically sustainable in later years.

    Limit rate increase to 2-3% or check the resulting rate in the last year and compare it with expected income.

  4. Confusing one-time and regular investments

    A one-time investment of EUR 10,000 earns interest on the full amount from day one. Monthly savings of EUR 10,000 spread over time earn less total interest because later payments have shorter investment periods.

    Distinguish clearly between one-time investment and savings plan — the compound interest table shows both variants separately.

  5. Interpreting rounding differences as errors

    The table rounds to whole euros. With many years, these rounding differences can accumulate to a few euros without indicating a calculation error.

    Rounding differences of a few euros are normal and do not indicate errors. For exact values, use the detailed annual view.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I read the compound interest table?

In both views, years are rows and rates are columns. The factor view has multipliers without starting capital; the capital view shows currency amounts.

How strongly do interest differences affect results long-term?

Due to the compound interest effect, differences grow exponentially. Example: EUR 10,000 at 4% becomes approx. EUR 32,434 in 30 years, at 6% however approx. EUR 57,435 — almost double. The longer the duration, the larger the effect.

Can I compare different compounding frequencies?

The compounding frequency (annually, semi-annually, quarterly, monthly) applies uniformly to all scenarios in the table. For a direct comparison of different frequencies, you can use the interest calculator.

What does rate increase mean in the table?

The rate increase raises the savings rate each year by a fixed percentage. With e.g. 3% increase, a savings rate of EUR 200 rises to EUR 206 in the second year, EUR 212.18 in the third, etc. This simulates growing savings capacity from salary increases.

Why are not all years displayed for long durations?

For durations over 30 years, the table is condensed to notable data points (year 1, 5, 10, 15, ... and the last year) to keep it clear. The chart still shows the complete progression.

Which interest rates are realistic for the scenarios?

Enter rates relevant to your question. Constant scenario returns are not forecasts; actual returns can vary.

Can I use the table for retirement planning?

The table shows mathematical scenarios. Taxes, costs, inflation and changing returns are not fully covered; it is not investment advice.

What happens if I enter an interest rate of 0%?

At 0% interest there is no compound interest effect. The final capital then equals the initial capital plus all savings rates (including rate increase). The table shows in this case only the linearly growing deposited capital without interest income.

What are the compound and present value factors?

The compound factor (1 + i)^n multiplies today’s amount to a future value. The present value factor 1 / (1 + i)^n is its reciprocal and discounts a future amount to today. i is the rate per period.

Limits

Limitations

  • Uniform compounding frequency for all scenarios: The compounding frequency applies equally to all scenarios. A separate comparison of different frequencies is not possible in this calculator.
  • No market fluctuations reflected: Real equity and fund investments fluctuate annually. The table shows a smoothed average view without volatility.
  • No taxes and costs: Capital gains tax, custody fees, and fund costs (TER) are not reflected. The real yield is lower than shown.
  • No inflation consideration: The table shows nominal values. Actual purchasing power after deducting inflation can be checked with the inflation calculator.

Sources

Sources and references

  • Deutsche Bundesbank — ZinsstatistikenDeutsche Bundesbank

    Current and historical interest rates from the Deutsche Bundesbank as guidance for realistic scenarios.

    View sourceRetrieved: 07/23/2026 · Verified on: 07/23/2026 · Primary source
  • Statistisches Bundesamt — VerbraucherpreisindexStatistisches Bundesamt (Destatis)

    Inflation data for assessing real returns in scenario planning.

    View sourceRetrieved: 07/23/2026 · Verified on: 07/23/2026 · Primary source
  • BVI Bundesverband Investment — FondsstatistikenBVI Bundesverband Investment und Asset Management

    Long-term return statistics for various fund types as reference for ETF and fund scenarios.

    View sourceRetrieved: 07/23/2026 · Verified on: 07/23/2026

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