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Calculate DCA investment returns over time. Compare dollar-cost averaging vs lump sum investing.
Dollar Cost Averaging Calculator simulates DCA month-by-month: balance = (balance + monthly) × (1 + annualReturn/12/100), produces a year-by-year table of total invested vs portfolio value, and runs a parallel lump-sum scenario to compare final values after the same time horizon.
Simulate dollar-cost averaging returns with a year-by-year table. Compare DCA vs lump sum, see when you hit major milestones, and get a practical investing guide.
Enter your monthly investment amount and expected annual return.
Set the investment period in years.
See your final portfolio value, total invested, and gain breakdown.
DCA simulation: each month balance = (prevBalance + monthlyAmount) × (1 + annualReturn/12/100). Lump sum: balance = initialAmount × (1 + annualReturn/12/100)^months. Both scenarios end at the same total time. Vanguard (2012) found lump sum outperforms DCA 66% of the time across stocks and bonds globally.
DCA means investing a fixed amount regularly (monthly, biweekly) regardless of market conditions. It reduces the risk of investing a lump sum at a market peak.
Lump sum investing outperforms DCA about 66% of the time historically (Vanguard). But DCA is better for investors who feel anxious about market timing or receive income periodically.
Project investment growth over any time horizon with contributions, CAGR, and inflation-adjusted returns.
Calculate how money grows with compound interest — lump sum plus regular contributions, any compounding frequency.
Compare Roth vs Traditional IRA growth and project your retirement balance with 2026 contribution limits.