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Investing & Savings

Mutual Fund Calculator

Project a mutual fund balance after recurring contributions and annual expense-ratio drag.

Best for: Project mutual-fund growth after recurring contributions and annual expense-ratio drag.

Your assumptions

Calculate your estimate

Your result

Mutual Fund estimate

Projected balance after fees
$317,218.90
Illustrative fee drag
$26,559.33
Net assumed annual return
7.4%

How to use this mutual fund calculator

Use this mutual fund calculator to see how an annual expense ratio reduces modeled portfolio growth. It applies a simplified net return and does not capture trading costs, taxes, loads, changing allocations, or uneven market performance.

  1. 1

    Enter investment and contributions

    Add the current fund balance and planned monthly purchases.

  2. 2

    Set gross return and expense ratio

    Use a long-term return assumption before fund operating expenses and the published expense ratio.

  3. 3

    Compare net outcomes

    Run the same investment with a lower-cost fund while keeping gross return constant.

Worked planning example

Example: compare two expense ratios over 25 years

Set up

Model the same starting amount, contributions, and gross return for two funds with different expense ratios.

Compare

Compare ending balances and the cumulative gap caused by annual cost drag.

Takeaway

Small recurring percentage costs can compound into a meaningful long-term difference.

Evaluate cost in the context of strategy and taxes

Expense ratio matters, but investment exposure, tracking, risk, turnover, and tax efficiency also affect outcomes.

  • Use the current published expense ratio.
  • Check for loads and account-level fees.
  • Compare funds with similar investment objectives.

Calculation methodology and assumptions

For this mutual fund estimate, Silvia uses starting investment, monthly contribution, expected gross annual return, annual expense ratio, time horizon. Project a mutual fund balance after recurring contributions and annual expense-ratio drag. Results are estimates, not quotes, tax advice, or investment recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

How does the expense ratio affect returns?

The model reduces the assumed gross annual return by the entered expense ratio before projecting growth.

Does the calculator include sales loads?

No. Front-end, back-end, transaction, or advisory fees must be modeled separately.

Can a higher-cost fund still outperform?

Yes, but future outperformance is uncertain. Compare strategy, risk, consistency, and costs rather than expense ratio alone.

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