A SIP calculator estimates the future value of your regular periodic investments using compound interest. Enter your monthly investment, years, and expected annual return. The calculator compounds each monthly contribution to the end of your tenure and sums them all to show your projected corpus. Actual returns vary based on market performance and fund charges.

FV = P × [((1+r)ⁿ − 1) / r] × (1+r), where r = (1+R)^(1/12)−1. The (1+r) multiplier treats each payment as invested at the start of the month (annuity due), which is the standard approach used by mutual fund platforms globally.

SIP is generally better for most investors because it removes the need to time the market. Through Rupee/Dollar Cost Averaging, your fixed monthly amount buys more units when prices are low and fewer when high — naturally reducing your average cost per unit. Lump sum can outperform if you invest at a market bottom, but timing that correctly is extremely difficult.

For equity funds (post Budget 2024): units held over 12 months — LTCG at 12.5% on gains above ₹1.25 lakh/year. Units held 12 months or less — STCG at 20%. A 4% cess applies on top. Each monthly SIP instalment has its own holding period — one redemption can produce both STCG and LTCG on a FIFO basis.

Use the benchmark chips as a guide. India large-cap / Nifty index funds: historically 10–12% p.a. Mid-cap / flexi-cap: 12–15%. US S&P 500: ~10% p.a. UK equities: ~7–8%. Debt/bond funds globally: 3–7%. Always use a conservative estimate — past returns do not guarantee future performance.

A Step-Up SIP increases your monthly contribution by a fixed percentage each year — typically 5–15%, aligned with your salary increment. Starting at ₹5,000/month and stepping up 10% annually grows to ₹5,500 in Year 2, ₹6,050 in Year 3, etc. Over a full tenure, a Step-Up SIP typically builds a corpus 30–60% larger than a flat SIP at the same starting amount.

Yes — dramatically. ₹5,000/month at 12% for 30 years builds ~₹1.76 crore. The same SIP for 20 years builds only ~₹50 lakh — less than a third of the wealth from two-thirds as long. The extra 10 years of early compounding account for the entire difference. The best time to start is now.

Yes — most SIPs can be paused or stopped without a penalty fee, except ELSS (mandatory 3-year lock-in per instalment). In India, submit a cancellation request 7–10 business days before the next SIP date. Units already accumulated remain invested and can be redeemed separately.