Target amount page
How to Reach $500,000 With Compound Interest
There is no single path to $500,000. The outcome depends on three levers: how much you start with, how much you add each month, and how many years you give compounding to work.
Example paths to $500,000
| Starting balance | Monthly addition | Rate | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $500 | 7% | About 26 years |
| $50,000 | $500 | 7% | About 18 years |
| $100,000 | $0 | 7% | About 24 years |
| $100,000 | $500 | 7% | About 18 years |
What matters most
For smaller starting balances, monthly investing discipline does more work. For larger balances, the time horizon and return assumption dominate. In both cases, consistency usually beats trying to time the market perfectly.