- What is a SIP?
- A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a fixed amount you invest at regular intervals — typically monthly — into a mutual fund or similar instrument, rather than investing a lump sum all at once. It builds discipline and averages your purchase cost over time.
- What formula does the SIP calculator use?
- The future value of a monthly SIP is FV = P × [((1+i)ⁿ − 1) / i] × (1+i), where P is the monthly investment, i is the monthly rate of return (annual rate ÷ 12 ÷ 100), and n is the total number of months. When the return rate is 0%, this simplifies to just the sum of every monthly contribution.
- What formula does the compound interest (lump-sum) calculator use?
- The future value of a lump sum is A = P × (1 + r/(100k))^(k×t), where P is the principal, r is the annual interest rate, t is the number of years, and k is the compounding frequency per year — 1 for yearly, 2 for half-yearly, 4 for quarterly, or 12 for monthly. A higher compounding frequency at the same nominal rate produces a slightly larger future value.
- Does 12% a year mean 1% a month?
- By default, yes: the calculator divides the yearly return by 12, which is how most SIP calculators and fund fact sheets work, and which compounds to about 12.68% over a year. If you would rather a 12% return grow by exactly 12% a year, open More options and choose "True yearly"; the result is lower, by roughly 0.7 percentage points of return a year.
- What is a step-up SIP and how do I model it?
- A step-up SIP raises the monthly amount once a year, either by a percentage or by a fixed sum. Choose it under More options. The first year uses your monthly amount, the second year the raised amount, and so on, and the table shows what you put in each year.
- How do I find the monthly SIP I need for a goal?
- Choose Goal, enter the target amount, the years and the return you expect. The calculator solves for the first-year monthly amount that reaches it (rounded up, and checked by running it) and also shows the single amount you would need today. If the target is in today's money, tick the box and give an inflation rate: the target is raised by inflation first.
- How is the tax estimate worked out?
- For rupee plans you can switch on an estimate of tax on equity-fund gains if everything were sold at the end. Each instalment is treated separately: money held over 12 months is long term, taxed at 12.5% on gains above ₹1.25 lakh, and younger money is short term at 20%, following the FY 2025-26 rules. It leaves out cess, surcharge, STT, fund charges and exit loads, and tax rules change, so treat it as a rough guide and ask a tax adviser.
- Are the projected returns guaranteed?
- No. Both calculators project a future value assuming a constant annual return you enter — they don't predict or guarantee actual market performance. Mutual fund and market-linked returns fluctuate and can be lower (or higher) than the rate you assume, and past performance is not a reliable guide to future results.
- Can I use this with any currency?
- Yes. Toggle between ₹ (Indian numbering, e.g. 12,34,567) and $ (international numbering, e.g. 1,234,567) — the calculator only formats the numbers you enter, so any currency works as long as you keep the amounts consistent.
- Is my investment data stored or uploaded anywhere?
- No. Every calculation runs locally in your browser, and your inputs are autosaved only to this browser's local storage for convenience — nothing is ever sent to a server. The "Copy link" button puts your numbers after the # of the address, which browsers never send to a server.
- Is the SIP calculator really free?
- Yes — nothing to pay, nothing to register for, no watermark, and the full year-by-year growth table is included, not gated behind an email capture.
- Do I need to create an account?
- No. There's no account system at all. Open the page, pick SIP or lump sum, and start typing.