Goal Mode is a CompoundFX feature that starts from the balance you want to reach and solves for the one input you need: the rate of return, time horizon, starting principal, or monthly contribution.
Goal Mode is part of CompoundFX Pro
A standard projection works forward from what you have to where you end up; Goal Mode works backward from where you want to end up to what it takes. Both use the same compound interest math, so the same plan checks out in either direction.
| Direction | You enter | It solves for | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward (standard projection) | Starting principal, monthly contribution, rate of return, time horizon | The ending balance | $25,000 plus $653.37 a month at 7% for 30 years grows to $1,000,005. |
| Backward (Goal Mode) | Your target balance, plus three of the four inputs | The fourth input | Reaching $1,000,000 in 30 years from $25,000 at 7% takes $653.37 a month. |
The forward result lands slightly above $1,000,000 because the monthly contribution is rounded to the cent.
Goal Mode solves for whichever of the four inputs you leave open, given your target and the other three.
This mode finds the annual return your plan would need to earn to reach the target with the starting principal, monthly contribution, and time horizon you enter.
It answers "is my goal realistic?": if the required return is far above what your investments can reasonably earn, you know to save more, start with more, or allow more time.
This mode finds how long it takes to reach the target from the starting principal, monthly contribution, and rate of return you enter.
Worked example
Starting with $25,000 and contributing $500 a month at a 7% annual return, you reach $1,000,000 in 32.7 years.
This mode finds the lump sum you would need to invest today to reach the target, given the monthly contribution, rate of return, and time horizon you enter.
It suits a windfall, a rollover, or a one-time deposit: you see how large it needs to be for your regular contributions to carry the rest.
This mode finds how much you need to contribute each month to reach the target from the starting principal, rate of return, and time horizon you enter.
Worked example
To reach $1,000,000 in 30 years from a $25,000 starting balance at a 7% annual return, you need to contribute $653.37 a month. Contributing $500 instead pushes the date out to 32.7 years, as in the time horizon example.
Worked examples are calculated with this site's shared calculation engine: a constant 7% annual return compounded monthly, deposits at the end of each month, before inflation and taxes.
Two free web calculators on this site each solve for a single variable with fixed assumptions, and run in your browser with no sign-up.
Solves for the monthly contribution only: enter a goal, a time frame, an expected return, and a starting balance, and it returns the monthly amount to save.
Solves for time to target only: it sets the target from your annual expenses and withdrawal rate, then returns the years to reach it from your savings and monthly contribution.
Neither web tool solves for a rate of return or a starting principal. Goal Mode covers all four in one place.
Goal Mode is part of CompoundFX Pro. iPhone app, iOS 17 or later. Free to download. Optional one-time Pro upgrade. No subscription.
