Switzerland
Savings goal calculator
Saving for something specific, such as a deposit, a car or a holiday? This tells you how long the goal will take and how much of it interest does for you. Enter the target amount, what you have already put aside, the sum you can add each month, and an expected annual interest rate. It then projects month by month until the balance reaches your goal, reporting the time needed, your total contributions, and the interest earned along the way. Adjust the monthly figure to see how a little more each month brings the date forward.
How it works
- Enter your target amount and any balance you have already saved.
- Add the amount you can save each month and an expected yearly interest rate.
- Each month the running balance earns one month of interest at that rate, then your contribution is added on top.
- The projection repeats until the balance meets or passes the goal, and reports how many months that took.
each month: balance = balance x (1 + r/12) + contribution, until balance >= goal
The projection steps forward one month at a time. The running balance first earns a single month of interest at the annual rate divided by twelve, then your monthly contribution is added. That loop repeats, counting the months, until the balance reaches or passes your target. The total you paid in is contributions times months, and the rest of the final balance is interest.
- r
- annual interest rate as a decimal
- contribution
- the amount added each month
- goal
- the target balance you are saving towards
Common savings goals
| Emergency fund | 3 to 6 months of outgoings | a financial cushion |
| First-home deposit, UK | 5 to 10% of the price | more lowers the mortgage rate |
| New car fund | 5,000 to 15,000 | used to new, very roughly |
| Holiday | 1,000 to 3,000 | per person for a longer trip |
Worked example
A 10,000 goal starting from zero, saving 300 a month at 3 percent interest: it reaches the target in a little over 32 months, of which the bulk is your own contributions and a few hundred is interest. Saving 400 a month instead would shave several months off.
Key facts
- Your monthly contribution does the heavy lifting on shorter goals; interest only takes over once the balance is large.
- Saving monthly rather than in one lump means each instalment compounds for a different length of time.
- A higher target does not just cost more, it also pushes the finish line further out at the same monthly rate.
- At low interest rates, doubling the rate barely moves a two-year goal but matters far more over a decade.
Tips
- Set up a standing order on payday so the contribution leaves before you are tempted to spend it.
- Run a lower interest rate as well as your optimistic one, so the timeline is not built on a best case.
- Increasing the monthly amount shortens the timeline far more reliably than chasing a higher rate.
- Use a tax-efficient account where you can, such as an ISA in the UK, so more of the interest is yours to keep.
Frequently asked questions
Is the interest rate guaranteed?+
No. The rate is an assumption you supply. Real savings rates move and investment returns vary, so it is worth running a lower rate as well to see a more cautious timeline.
Is the interest compounded?+
Yes, monthly. The balance earns interest each month before your next contribution goes in, so interest starts to earn its own interest over time.
What if I can only save irregularly?+
The model assumes a steady monthly amount. For uneven saving, use an average monthly figure, then re-check the result whenever your real contributions drift from it.
Does it account for tax on interest?+
No. The interest shown is gross. Depending on where you live and the account type, some of it may be taxable, which would lengthen the timeline slightly.
Things to watch
- This is general information, not financial advice; the rate you enter is an assumption, not a promise.
- Real savings rates move and investment values can fall, so the date shown may arrive later in practice.
- Interest here is gross, and tax on it could lengthen the timeline depending on the account and your country.
Last updated: 2026
This is an estimate for general guidance, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Figures can change and individual circumstances vary. Always confirm with the official sources listed before making decisions.
- This is general information, not financial advice.
- Assumes a steady monthly contribution and a constant rate; real returns and rates vary.
- Interest is shown gross of any tax.
Reviewed by Vikas Dulgunde.