Present Value calculator.
Use this free present value calculator to get fast estimates, compare scenarios, and understand the numbers with clear step-by-step context.
Use the Present Value Calculator.
Results update automatically as you type. No account is required.
Enter the future amount
Future amount
The amount you will receive or need in the future.
Discounting
The rate used to discount future money and how far away it is.
$100,000 in 15 years is worth $40,748 today at 6%.
How it grows to the future value
A present-value lump sum compounding up to the future amount.
Present vs. future value
Today’s value compared with the future amount.
About the Present Value Calculator
The present value calculator tells you what a future sum of money is worth today. Because money can earn a return, a dollar received in the future is worth less than a dollar today — this calculator quantifies exactly how much less, using a discount rate and time horizon. It is a foundation of finance, used for valuing investments, comparing offers, and deciding between money now and money later.
How present value is calculated
Present value reverses compounding: PV = FV ÷ (1 + i)n, where i is the discount rate per period and n is the number of periods. A higher discount rate or a longer time horizon makes a future amount worth less today, because there is more opportunity for money to grow in the meantime.
Why the discount rate matters
The discount rate reflects the return you could otherwise earn, or the risk of the future payment. Small changes in the rate can change the present value significantly over long periods, which is why choosing a sensible rate is important when comparing options.
Using the result
Use present value to compare a lump sum today against a larger amount later, or to value a future goal in today’s money. The chart shows the same money growing from its present value up to the future amount.
Important disclaimer
⚠ Disclaimer: This present value calculator is for general education and planning only and is not financial or investment advice. Results depend entirely on the discount rate and time you enter, and do not account for taxes, fees, inflation, or risk. For financial decisions, consult a qualified professional.
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Future Value Calculator · Compound Interest Calculator · Investment Calculator · Annuity Calculator
Present Value Calculator FAQ
What is present value?
Present value is what a future sum of money is worth today, after discounting it at a chosen rate to reflect the return that money could earn in the meantime.
How is present value calculated?
It uses PV = FV ÷ (1 + i)^n, where i is the discount rate per period and n is the number of periods. This tool applies your chosen compounding frequency.
What discount rate should I use?
Use the return you could realistically earn on similar-risk money, or a rate that reflects the riskiness of the future payment. Higher rates lower the present value.
Why is future money worth less today?
Because money available now can be invested to grow, so receiving it later means giving up that potential growth — which is what discounting captures.
What is the difference between present and future value?
Future value grows a present sum forward in time; present value discounts a future sum back to today. They are inverses of each other.
Does this include inflation?
Not directly. You can fold an inflation assumption into the discount rate if you want present value in real (inflation-adjusted) terms.
Is this present value calculator free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser.