Free tool

How long to reach £1 million?

Becoming a millionaire isn't about luck or a huge salary — it's mostly about time and consistency. Pop in your numbers and see how many years it could take. Then try starting with a bigger monthly amount, and watch the years drop.

Why time matters so much

Notice something? Doubling how much you invest each month doesn't halve the time — but adding years helps enormously. That's compounding: your growth earns its own growth, and the snowball gets bigger the longer it rolls. Starting five years earlier can be worth more than a much bigger monthly payment.

A quick reality check

This tool assumes a steady return every year to keep things simple. Real investments don't grow in a neat line — some years are up, some are down, and returns aren't guaranteed. Historically, broad stock markets have averaged very roughly 5–8% a year over the long term, but your actual result could be higher, lower, or negative. It also ignores fees, tax and inflation (so a future £1m won't buy quite as much as £1m today).

This calculator is for illustration and education only. It is not financial advice or a forecast, and assumes a constant rate of return that real investments do not provide. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Figures ignore fees, tax and inflation.