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Required Return Calculator

Find the annual rate of return your investment needs to earn to grow from its current value to your target value within a specific timeframe.

Quick answer: Solve for the annual rate of return a lump sum needs to earn to grow from today's value to a target value by a future date. Enter Current Value, Target Value, and Years to Reach Target to personalize the estimate. It returns Required Annual Return, Total Dollar Growth Needed, and Total Growth Needed so you can compare the impact before choosing a next step. Use it to compare long-term value, tax impact, risk, time horizon, and contribution choices.

SWReviewed by SwitchWize Research Desk · Last reviewed June 30, 2026
Required Annual Return
11.61%
Required Annual Return
11.61%
Total Dollar Growth Needed
$100,000
Total Growth Needed
200.00%
Diagnostic

To grow $50,000 to $150,000 in 10 years, you need a required annual return of 11.61%.

This assumes a single lump sum with no further contributions and steady, unchanging annual growth. Real markets don't compound in a straight line.

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What to do next

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Your action plan
  1. 1

    Set the target and timeline for this plan

    Solve for the annual rate of return a lump sum needs to earn to grow from today's value to a target value by a future date.

  2. 2

    Pressure-test one alternate scenario before deciding

    Assumptions change the answer, especially when rates, taxes, or timing matter.

  3. 3

    Save the result to Money Map or use the linked next action

    Turn the result into a prioritized action instead of treating it as a one-off number.

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This is an educational estimate, not tax, legal, investment, or lending advice. Tax rules, rates, and eligibility change and depend on your full situation. Confirm with a qualified professional or the provider before acting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know.

What does an example Required Return Calculator calculation look like?
Using this calculator's own default assumptions, a current value of $50,000, target value of $150,000 and years to reach target of 10 produces an estimated required annual return of 11.6% and total dollar growth needed of $100,000. Enter your own numbers above to see how it changes for your situation.
What if my required return seems too high compared to historical market performance?
A required return higher than typical market averages means your target may not be achievable in your timeframe without taking on significantly more risk or increasing your starting amount. You can adjust either your goal, extend your timeline, or add more capital to lower the burden on investment returns.
How does the time horizon affect my required return?
A shorter timeframe requires a higher annual return because you have fewer years for compounding to work. A longer timeframe allows the same investment to grow to a higher value at a lower annual rate, since you're benefiting from compound growth over more periods.
Is the Required Return Calculator free to use?
Yes. SwitchWize calculators are free, and you do not need an account to run scenarios or view the result.
Does using the Required Return Calculator affect my credit score?
No. Using a calculator does not trigger a credit check. A credit impact can occur only if you apply directly with a lender, card issuer, or provider.
Are the results personalized financial advice?
No. Calculator outputs are educational estimates based on the inputs you enter. Review assumptions and confirm terms directly with providers before making a financial decision.
What should I do after seeing the result?
Use the recommendation module on this page to compare brokerage accounts, or run Money Map to compare this investing & retirement decision with your other opportunities.
How does SwitchWize choose related offers?
Related offers are matched by the calculator surface (brokerage) and ranked using SwitchWize data such as rate, fees, trust signals, product fit, and switching friction. Paid relationships do not change organic ranking order.
How fresh are the rates and offers shown?
Rate and offer data is reviewed on a recurring cadence and every offer module shows review context or links to the methodology and disclosure pages.
Where can I see the ranking methodology?
The SwitchWize methodology page explains how rate freshness, editorial review, affiliate disclosure, and category ranking factors work.
Can Money Map use this result?
Yes. Money Map is the broader diagnostic path: it compares savings, mortgage, cards, and debt so you can see whether this calculator result is your highest-impact next move.

Why This Matters

Understanding the required return helps you set realistic investment goals and assess whether your strategy can actually achieve them. By knowing the exact annual growth rate needed, you can compare it against historical market returns and your risk tolerance to decide if your target is feasible. This bridges the gap between what you want to achieve and what the math says you need to earn.

How to Use It

  1. 1Enter your investment's current value.
  2. 2Enter the dollar amount you want to reach in the future.
  3. 3Enter the number of years you have to reach that target.
  4. 4Review your required annual return, the total dollar growth needed, and the total percentage growth needed.
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