AllMyCalculators

Lump Sum vs Periodic Investing Calculator

Compares investing a sum at once with feeding it in over time.

%
years
Lump sum ends at
—

Share sends a link that reopens these numbers. Copy details pastes the full breakdown as a list.

Periodic investing ends at —
Difference —
Reading this —

The formula

lump = amount × (1 + r)^t periodic = Σ (amount ÷ n) × (1 + i)^(months − k)

Each instalment compounds only from the date it goes in.

What to watch out for

The gap here is the cost of waiting if the return holds. It is not a prediction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to invest all at once?

On average, in a rising market, yes. Spreading it out is a way to manage regret and timing risk, at some expected cost.