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Dollar-cost averaging
for stocks & crypto
Project your portfolio growth or backtest DCA strategies against real historical returns. Know your numbers before you invest.
$
$
Years
10 yrs
% per year
10%
% per year
0%
Total invested
$25,000
Final value
$42,567
Total gain
+$17,567
Return
+70.3%
Portfolio value
Total contributed
How DCA works
Buy more when prices drop
When prices fall, your fixed contribution buys more shares or coins. This naturally lowers your average cost per unit over time.
Buy less when prices rise
When prices are high, you automatically buy fewer units. You never over-invest at the top of a market cycle.
Remove emotional decisions
A fixed schedule removes the urge to time the market. Consistent investing through volatility has historically outperformed sporadic lump-sum attempts.
Harness compound growth
Returns generate their own returns over time. The longer your time horizon, the more dramatically compounding accelerates your portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
What is dollar-cost averaging (DCA)?
DCA is an investment strategy where you invest a fixed dollar amount at regular intervals — weekly, monthly, or quarterly — regardless of the asset's price. Over time, this results in buying more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, lowering your average cost per unit.
Is DCA better than lump-sum investing?
Academic research shows lump-sum investing outperforms DCA about two-thirds of the time in rising markets, since more capital is exposed to growth earlier. However, DCA significantly reduces the risk of investing everything right before a downturn. For most people who receive regular income (salary, freelance income), DCA is the natural and practical approach.
What return rate should I use for stocks?
The S&P 500 has returned approximately 10% annually on average over the past century (7% after inflation). The Nasdaq has averaged around 13% annually. Individual stocks vary widely. For crypto like Bitcoin, long-term historical averages are much higher but come with far more volatility and risk.
How accurate are these projections?
This calculator uses simplified compound growth models. Real market returns vary year to year, and actual results will differ based on market conditions, taxes, fees, and timing. These projections are for planning and illustration only — not financial advice.
What does "contribution growth" mean?
This models the effect of increasing your recurring investment over time — for example, investing 5% more each year as your income grows. Even a small annual increase has a dramatic effect on your final portfolio value over long periods.