Dollar-Cost Averaging Calculator
Model a steady investing plan — monthly, biweekly or weekly — and see how consistency plus compound growth adds up over time.
Starting with $5,000 and investing $500 every month at a 7% annual return could grow to about $96,591 in 10 years — $65,000 contributed by you and roughly $31,591 from investment growth. Dollar-cost averaging works by investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule, so you buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when they are high. Use this calculator to compare monthly, biweekly or weekly contributions over any time horizon.
Your plan
Calculations run in your browser. Inputs are not stored.
Illustrative assumptions only. Adjust the rate for your own model.
Show yearly breakdown
| Year | Contributions | Growth | Balance |
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How this calculation works
The formula
Each contribution is invested at the end of its period and compounds forward. The balance after N periods is:
P = initial investment · M = contribution per period · i = rate per period · N = total number of periods.
Assumptions
- Contributions are made at the end of each period and invested immediately.
- The annual return is a nominal rate; results are pre-tax and pre-inflation.
- The return rate is assumed constant — real markets fluctuate, and DCA's benefit is precisely that it smooths those fluctuations.
- Fees, taxes, and inflation are not included.
Educational purposes only. Not financial advice. See the full methodology and disclaimer.