Goal SIP Calculator
Work out the monthly SIP you need to hit a specific money goal. Enter your target amount, expected return, and time frame, and see exactly how much to invest each month to get there.
To reach ₹1 Cr in 15 years at 12% expected return, you need to invest about ₹19,819 a month — putting in ₹35.67 L in total and earning roughly ₹64.33 L in returns.
How the Goal SIP Calculator works
Most SIP calculators ask how much you will invest and tell you what you might get. This one flips that around: you state the corpus you want and the time you have, and it tells you the monthly instalment needed to get there. That makes it the right tool for planning concrete goals like retirement, a home down payment, or a child\u2019s higher education.
The formula behind it
It solves the future-value-of-annuity equation for the monthly instalment:
- P = FV × i / [ ((1 + i)n − 1) × (1 + i) ]
- FV — your target corpus
- i — monthly rate of return (annual return ÷ 12 ÷ 100)
- n — total number of monthly instalments (years × 12)
Plan in today\u2019s money, then inflate
A goal that looks affordable today may cost much more by the time you reach it. With inflation around 6%, the price of education, property, and weddings can double in roughly 12 years. Estimate the future cost of your goal first, enter that inflated figure as your target, and your required SIP will reflect what you actually need to save.
If the SIP feels too high
- Extend the time horizon — more years means compounding carries more of the load.
- Start with what you can and use a step-up SIP to raise it as your income grows.
- Split a large goal into milestones and review your progress every year.
- Keep return assumptions realistic — 10–12% for long-term diversified equity, lower for hybrid funds.
Frequently asked questions
What is a goal-based SIP?
A goal-based SIP works backwards from a target amount — say ₹1 crore for retirement or ₹50 lakh for your child’s education — to tell you the monthly investment needed to get there. Instead of guessing how much to invest, you anchor your SIP to a concrete financial goal and time horizon.
How is the required monthly SIP calculated?
The calculator rearranges the future-value-of-annuity formula to solve for the monthly instalment: P = FV × i / [((1 + i)^n − 1) × (1 + i)], where FV is your target, i is the monthly rate (annual return ÷ 12 ÷ 100), and n is the total months. It gives the steady monthly amount that grows into your target at the assumed return.
Should I factor in inflation when setting my goal?
Yes. A goal that costs ₹50 lakh today could cost far more in 15 years. At 6% inflation, prices roughly double every 12 years, so inflate your target to its future cost before entering it here. For education and weddings, where inflation often runs higher than the general rate, build in an extra cushion.
What if I cannot afford the required SIP?
You have three levers: increase the time horizon, accept a higher-return (and higher-risk) asset mix, or revise the goal amount down. Stretching the tenure usually has the biggest impact because compounding does more of the work. A step-up SIP, where you raise the amount each year, is also a practical way to bridge the gap as your income grows.
Is the projected return guaranteed?
No. The required SIP assumes a constant annual return, but equity mutual funds are market-linked and returns vary. Use a conservative estimate — 10–12% for diversified equity over long horizons — and review your progress yearly, topping up if returns lag your assumption.
Which fund type suits my goal’s time horizon?
Match risk to how far away the goal is. For goals over 7 years (retirement, a young child’s higher education), equity funds suit best. For 3–5 year goals, hybrid or balanced advantage funds reduce volatility. For goals under 3 years, stick to debt or liquid funds so a market dip near the deadline does not derail you.
Should I run a separate SIP for each goal?
Yes — earmarking a dedicated SIP and folio for each goal (retirement, home down payment, child’s education) makes tracking and discipline far easier. It stops you from dipping into one goal’s money for another and lets you tune the fund choice and tenure to each goal individually. Most platforms let you label and group SIPs by goal.
What if I reach my goal amount before the deadline?
If a strong market run gets you to your target early, consider de-risking — move the accumulated corpus from equity into a debt or liquid fund to lock in the gains and protect against a fall before you actually need the money. This "goal-based shifting" is especially important in the last 1–2 years before a fixed deadline like a college admission or wedding.
How do I keep my goal SIP on track over the years?
Review annually: compare your actual corpus against the projected path. If returns lagged or you missed instalments, top up with a lumpsum or raise the SIP via a step-up. Inflation can also push your target higher, so re-estimate the future cost of the goal every couple of years and adjust the monthly amount accordingly.
Related calculators
The results shown are estimates for illustration only, based on the inputs and assumptions you provide. Actual returns, interest, and tax depend on market conditions, prevailing rates, and applicable laws, which change over time. This is not investment, tax, or financial advice — please consult a qualified advisor before making decisions.