Project the growth of a mutual fund investment with regular contributions, and see how much the expense ratio quietly costs you. Final value, contributions, growth, and total fees — instantly.
Growth after expense ratio
A mutual fund's expense ratio is the annual percentage it charges to manage your money. It sounds tiny — often 0.1% to 1% — but compounded over decades it can consume a surprising share of your wealth. This calculator projects your fund's growth from an initial investment plus monthly contributions, applies the expense ratio as a drag on the return, and shows how much those fees cost you versus an identical zero-fee fund.
For example, $10,000 plus $500/month for 20 years at an 8% gross return grows to roughly $300,000 at a 0% expense ratio — but a 0.5% expense ratio reduces it by tens of thousands of dollars. That's why low-cost index funds, often charging under 0.1%, have become so popular: minimizing fees is one of the few investment levers entirely within your control.
An expense ratio is charged every year on your whole balance, so its cost grows alongside your account — quietly compounding against you.
Index funds often charge under 0.10%. Over decades, choosing a 0.05% fund over a 1% fund can mean six figures of extra wealth.
Regular monthly contributions smooth out market ups and downs and harness compounding — the engine behind long-term fund growth.