Compound Interest Calculator

Last updated: 2026-06-25

TL;DR

Compound future value = principal × (1 + annual rate ÷ periods)^(periods × years); because interest earns interest, it grows larger than simple interest over time.

This calculator lets you choose monthly or annual compounding and shows the future value and the difference versus simple interest.

Enter compounding inputs

KRW
Enter your initial investment / deposit principal.
%
Enter the annual rate as a percentage.
years
Enter the deposit / investment term in years.

A pre-tax estimate. Deposit and savings interest is subject to 15.4% interest income tax, so check the after-tax amount with the Savings Interest Calculator.

How to use

  1. Enter principal and rate — Enter your investment principal and the annual rate (%).
  2. Select term and frequency — Select the term (years) and the compounding frequency (monthly/annual).
  3. View the result — The compound future value, interest and the difference vs simple interest are shown in a table.

How compounding works vs simple interest

Compounding means interest earns more interest. The future value formula is FV = principal × (1 + r/n)^(n×t), where r is the annual rate, n is the number of compounding periods per year (12 for monthly, 1 for annual), and t is the term in years. By contrast, simple interest applies only to the principal: FV = principal × (1 + r×t).

Principal 10M KRW, 5% compound vs simple (monthly compounding)
TermSimple future valueCompound future value
5 years12,500,000 KRWapprox. 12,834,000 KRW
10 years15,000,000 KRWapprox. 16,470,000 KRW
20 years20,000,000 KRWapprox. 27,126,000 KRW

As the table shows, the gap between compound and simple widens quickly with time. This is why compounding matters in long-term investing. For the maturity amount of a regular monthly deposit, use the Savings Interest Calculator, and for loan interest, the Loan Interest Calculator.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How is the compound future value calculated?

Compound future value = principal x (1 + annual rate / periods)^(periods x years). Monthly compounding uses 12 periods, annual compounding uses 1.

How do compound and simple interest differ?

Simple interest applies only to the principal, while compound interest also applies to prior interest. Simple future value = principal x (1 + annual rate x years), and the longer the term, the larger compound grows over simple.

Is monthly compounding better than annual?

For the same annual rate, more compounding periods give a larger future value, so monthly compounding is slightly better than annual. The gap widens with a higher rate and a longer term.

Is interest income tax reflected?

This calculator shows the pre-tax future value. Actual deposit and savings interest is subject to 15.4% interest income tax, so check the after-tax amount with the Savings Interest Calculator.

Last updated: 2026-06-25