Lump sum vs DCA calculator

Invest it all now, or spread it out.

Built and reviewed by Dovanic, Founder and editor, FreeByteLast reviewed: 2026-08-18

Amount

Spread over (months)

Expected return

Horizon (years)

Lump sum wins by

$4,450

Lump sum

$120,580

Show in today's money

With these inputs, lump sum wins by comes to $4,450 over 10 years. Lump sum works out to $120,580. The result assumes expected return stays at 7%.

Over time · by horizon (years)

Input	−10%	Now	+10%
Amount	$4,005	$4,450	$4,895
Spread over (months)	-$8,453	$4,450	$15,007
Expected return	$3,746	$4,450	$5,234
Horizon (years)	$4,150	$4,450	$4,772

Whatmakesequal

Save this set of inputs, change something, then save again to compare the outcomes side by side.

Invest it all now, or spread it out.

With the defaults above, lump sum wins by works out at $4,450.