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Goal Planning Calculator
Find the monthly SIP you need to start today to hit a future goal amount. Adjust any input below and your results update instantly.
Understanding goal-based investing
The concept, the motivation, and what to watch out for.
What is goal-based investing?
Goal-based investing works backwards from a target amount and a deadline — instead of asking 'what will my SIP grow to', it asks 'what SIP do I need to start today to reach this specific number by this specific date'.
It's the same compounding math as a regular SIP, just solved in the opposite direction — for the monthly contribution instead of the maturity value.
Time is the biggest lever
Starting even a year or two earlier can meaningfully lower the monthly amount you need to set aside, since compounding has longer to work in your favour.
The required amount is sensitive to returns
A small change in your expected return assumption can noticeably shift how much you need to invest each month — it's worth being realistic rather than optimistic here.
How this calculator helps
Enter your goal, timeline, and expected return — the exact monthly SIP you'd need updates instantly, with the full formula and year-by-year path shown alongside it.
Calculate your required SIP
Fill in the starred fields on the left — your results update instantly on the right.
Your details
Adjust goal for inflation
Enter your goal in today’s money and we’ll inflate it for you.
≈ ₹50.00 L
e.g. ₹50,00,000 for a house down payment
e.g. 10 years from now
e.g. 12% for a mostly-equity portfolio
How these compare
vs. typical India long-term ranges
Expected return: 12%
India long-term equity avg: 10–13%
These are example numbers. Edit any input on the left to see your own.
You need to invest, per month
₹21,735
to reach ₹50.00 L in 10 years
Total invested
₹26.08 L
Wealth gained
₹23.92 L
Portfolio value vs. invested
Portfolio valueAmount invested
Year-by-year breakdown
"% is growth" shows how much of that year’s portfolio value is compounding gains rather than your own contributions.
YearPortfolio valueAmount investedStatus
1₹2.76 L₹2.61 L
1.1x invested
5% is growth
3₹9.36 L₹7.82 L
1.2x invested
16% is growth
5₹17.75 L₹13.04 L
1.4x invested
27% is growth
7₹28.40 L₹18.26 L
1.6x invested
36% is growth
9₹41.93 L₹23.47 L
1.8x invested
44% is growth
10₹50.00 L₹26.08 L
1.9x invested
48% is growth
Compare scenarios
See how small changes move your required monthly SIP.
Your plan
₹50.00 L · 10y · 12%
₹21,735/mo
Required monthly SIP
Baseline
Start 1 year later
₹50.00 L · 9y · 12%
₹25,921/mo
Required monthly SIP
+₹4,186/mo
Return +2%
₹50.00 L · 10y · 14%
₹19,300/mo
Required monthly SIP
-₹2,436/mo
Worked example, using your numbers
A step-by-step walkthrough of how your goal becomes a required monthly SIP.
Step 1 · Monthly rate
Your 12% annual return converts to a monthly compounding rate of
1.00%
Step 2 · Solving for your SIP
Reaching ₹50.00 L in 10 years at that rate requires investing
₹21,735/mo
Step 3 · Total contribution
Across the full timeline, you’ll have contributed
₹26.08 L
✓
Investing ₹21,735/mo gets you to ₹50.00 L in 10 years — 48% of it from pure compounding.
Personalised insights
What your numbers reveal, and what changing them would do.
You need to invest ₹21,735/mo to reach ₹50.00 L
Over 10 years at 12%, that builds up to your full goal amount.
48% of your goal will be pure investment growth
You'll contribute ₹26.08 L in total — the remaining ₹23.92 L comes from compounding.
Starting a year later costs you ₹4,186 more per month
With one less year to compound, reaching the same ₹50.00 L goal needs ₹25,921/mo instead of ₹21,735/mo.
A +2% return lowers your required SIP by ₹2,436/mo
At 14% instead of 12%, you'd only need ₹19,300/mo to reach the same goal.
How this is calculated
Every step of the math behind your result, shown in the open.
Converting to a monthly rate
r = expected annual return, r_m = monthly rate
Your expected annual return (r) is converted to a monthly rate (r_m), since your SIP compounds every month, not once a year.
Example: 12% ÷ 12 → 1.00% monthly rate
Solving for your required SIP
FV = goal amount, n = number of months, P = required monthly SIP
This is the SIP future-value formula rearranged to solve for the monthly instalment (P) that reaches your goal (FV) instead of projecting a maturity value from a fixed instalment.
Example: ₹50.00 L over 120 months at 1.00%/mo → ₹21,735/mo required
Estimating your wealth gained
P × n = total amount you'll have invested
Your total contribution (P × n) is subtracted from the goal amount (FV) to show how much of your final corpus is pure investment growth rather than your own money.
Example: ₹50.00 L − ₹26.08 L invested → ₹23.92 L gained
Assumptions
- Assumes no existing savings toward this goal — only new monthly contributions from today.
- Inflation adjustment is off by default — turn it on to enter your goal in today's money.
- Your monthly SIP stays constant across the full duration — no step-up.
- Returns compound monthly at a constant rate, rather than fluctuating year to year.
- Figures are indicative and pre-tax — not financial advice.
Did you know?
A few facts behind goal-based investing.
72
The Rule of 72
Divide 72 by your expected return to estimate how often your invested corpus roughly doubles — useful context for how much return assumptions matter.
1y
Starting a year later costs more than you'd think
Because compounding is exponential, delaying by even a year can raise your required monthly SIP by more than a simple 1/n share of the goal.
3
Three levers, one goal
Every goal-based plan can be adjusted along exactly three dimensions: how much you save, how long you save for, and how your money is invested.
₹
Common Indian financial goals
Education, a home down payment, a child's wedding, and retirement are the four goals most Indian households plan and save toward separately.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most about goal planning.
How is the required SIP calculated?
It uses the same future-value formula as a regular SIP calculator, rearranged to solve for the monthly instalment that reaches your goal amount instead of projecting a maturity value from a fixed instalment.
Does this account for savings I already have toward this goal?
No — this calculator assumes you're starting from zero and building the entire goal through new monthly contributions. If you already have some savings set aside, your actual required SIP would be lower.
Should I adjust my goal amount for inflation?
If your goal is several years away, yes — a ₹50 lakh goal today will cost more in future rupees. Turn on "Adjust for inflation" above the inputs to enter your goal in today's money and let the calculator convert it to a future amount for you.
What return should I assume?
Equity-heavy mutual funds in India have historically averaged 10-12% annually over the long term, though actual returns vary year to year and are never guaranteed.
What if I can't afford the required monthly SIP?
You have three levers to adjust: extend your timeline, lower your goal amount, or accept a higher-return (and typically higher-risk) investment mix — this calculator lets you try all three instantly.
Is this financial advice?
No. This tool provides indicative estimates based on your assumptions. Consult a certified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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Learn more
Articles to go deeper on the ideas behind this calculator.
Fundamentals
How to set a realistic financial goal
Turning a vague ambition like 'buy a house' into a concrete number and deadline.
5 min read
Strategy
Should you adjust your goal for inflation?
Why a goal several years away is worth more in tomorrow's rupees than today's.
5 min read
Strategy
What to do when your required SIP feels too high
The three levers — amount, time, and return — and how to weigh them against each other.
6 min read