FAQs on Compound Interest
Compound interest is interest calculated on both your original investment and on the interest it has already earned. Over time, this "interest on interest" effect means your money can grow faster than with simple interest alone.
It depends on your compounding frequency — how often interest is added to your balance. More frequent compounding (daily or monthly, for example) means interest starts earning its own interest sooner, which can lead to slightly higher growth than less frequent compounding (like annually), even at the same interest rate.
Yes, though usually a modest one over the short term. The difference becomes more noticeable the longer your money is invested and the higher the rate, since each compounding period compounds on the last.
Adding money regularly — whether monthly, quarterly or annually — increases both your total contributed amount and the interest that compounds on top of it. Contributions made earlier in your timeline have longer to grow, so starting sooner (even with smaller amounts) can make a meaningful difference.
This tool gives you a projection based on the figures and rate you enter — it assumes a constant rate of return throughout, which real investments rarely deliver exactly. It's a useful planning estimate, not a guarantee, and doesn't account for tax, fees, or charges that may apply to real accounts or investments.
Yes. Lyfeguard's compound interest calculator is free to use as often as you like, with no account registration required. You can export your results to Excel, and create a free Lyfeguard account later if you want to track your real savings and investments alongside a plan like this.