See exactly how long it takes to reach $1,000,000 (or any goal) based on your savings, monthly investing and expected return — with a growth chart and the date you hit your number.
Time to your goal • Growth chart
A growth chart shows how interest snowballs — and how much of your million is growth vs. contributions.
Aim for $1M or set your own number, and instantly see the date and age you reach it.
All math runs in your browser — your finances are never uploaded.
Becoming a millionaire is less about a huge salary and more about time, consistency and compound growth. This calculator projects your balance forward month by month — adding your contribution and applying your expected return — until it crosses your goal, so you can see exactly how many years it takes and the date you get there.
The power of compounding. Early on, most of your balance is the money you put in. But as returns earn returns, growth accelerates: with a 7% annual return, money roughly doubles every ten years (the "Rule of 72" — 72 ÷ 7 ≈ 10). That is why starting early matters so much. Investing $500 a month at 7% grows to about $1 million in roughly 40 years from zero — but bump it to $1,000 a month and you cut that to about 30 years.
What return should I use? The long-run US stock market has returned about 10% per year before inflation, or roughly 7% after. Using the inflation-adjusted figure (≈7%) gives a result in today's dollars, which is the most realistic way to plan. More conservative savers might model 5–6%; this is an estimate, not a guarantee — real markets rise and fall.
Ways to get there faster: increase your monthly contribution (especially with raises), capture any employer 401(k) match (it is free money), use tax-advantaged accounts like a Roth IRA or 401(k), keep investment fees low with index funds, and avoid pulling money out early. This tool is for educational planning and is not financial advice — consider speaking with a licensed advisor about your situation.