Use this free S&P 500 calculator to see what a lump sum or a monthly investment in an S&P 500 index fund could grow to in pounds, after fund and platform fees. It also shows the result in today's money, after inflation.
Change any number and the results update instantly. Use the buttons to compare a cautious, moderate and long-run average return.
The S&P 500 has averaged roughly 10% a year in US dollars over the long run, before inflation. Returns vary a lot from year to year.
S&P 500 index funds and ETFs typically charge about 0.05%–0.10%.
0% on some apps. Others charge a yearly % of your pot.
Used to show your result in today's money.
Projected value after 20 years
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In today's money
£0
You put in
£0
Investment growth
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Lost to fees
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Year-by-year breakdown
| Year | You put in | Projected value | In today's money |
|---|
Illustration only, not a guarantee or financial advice. The S&P 500 can fall sharply in some years, and for UK investors the pound/dollar exchange rate also moves your returns. Assumes monthly investing, fees taken every month, and dividends reinvested. Capital at risk.
How much could you make investing in the S&P 500 every month?
This table shows how regular monthly investing could grow at 7% a year after fees, with no starting lump sum. The figure in brackets is the total you paid in.
| Monthly investment | After 10 years | After 20 years | After 30 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| £100 a month | £17,100 (£12,000) | £50,800 (£24,000) | £116,900 (£36,000) |
| £250 a month | £42,800 (£30,000) | £126,900 (£60,000) | £292,400 (£90,000) |
| £500 a month | £85,500 (£60,000) | £253,800 (£120,000) | £584,700 (£180,000) |
These are illustrations, not predictions. Real returns go up and down every year, and the order of good and bad years affects your final pot.
What if you invest a £10,000 lump sum in the S&P 500?
At 7% a year after fees, a one-off £10,000 investment could grow to about:
- £19,700 after 10 years
- £38,700 after 20 years
- £76,100 after 30 years
What return should I use for the S&P 500?
Since 1926, the S&P 500 and the index it replaced have returned roughly 10% a year on average in US dollars, with dividends reinvested. After inflation, that is roughly 6–7% a year.
That average hides big swings. Including dividends, the index fell about 37% in 2008 and about 18% in 2022, but rose more than 25% in 2019, 2021 and 2023. Many UK investors plan with 5–7% to be on the safe side. You can try all three with the buttons in the calculator above.
Does the pound/dollar exchange rate affect my returns?
Yes. S&P 500 companies are priced in US dollars. If the pound falls against the dollar, your fund is worth more in pounds. If the pound rises, it is worth less. Some funds are "GBP hedged" to remove most of this effect, usually at a slightly higher fee.
How much do fees matter?
More than most people think, because fees are taken every year from a growing pot. Investing £200 a month for 30 years at 7% a year:
- With total fees of 0.07% a year: about £230,700
- With total fees of 0.52% a year: about £211,200
That is about £19,500 less, from a difference of less than half a percent. See our investment calculator and our guide to the best trading platforms in the UK to compare costs.
How to invest in the S&P 500 from the UK
- Open a stocks and shares ISA or SIPP with an investing platform. Compare them in our best trading platforms UK guide.
- Choose an S&P 500 index fund or ETF. Providers such as Vanguard, iShares, HSBC and Invesco all offer one. Compare the yearly fee (OCF) and choose "accumulating" if you want dividends reinvested automatically. See our best ETFs UK and best index funds UK guides.
- Set up a monthly payment so you invest automatically, whatever the market is doing.
For the full step-by-step guide, read how to invest in the S&P 500 from the UK.
Can I hold an S&P 500 fund in an ISA?
Yes. Most S&P 500 funds and ETFs can be held in a stocks and shares ISA, where you pay no UK tax on growth or dividends. You can also hold them in a SIPP, which adds tax relief on what you pay in. Try our stocks and shares ISA calculator, or read SIPP vs ISA to decide which suits you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is £100 a month in the S&P 500 worth after 20 years?
At 7% a year after fees, about £50,800, from £24,000 paid in. At a 10% return it would be more, and at 5% less. Use the calculator above to try your own numbers.
Is the S&P 500 a good investment for UK beginners?
It is a popular choice because one low-cost fund spreads your money across about 500 large US companies. But it only covers one country and is heavily weighted towards a few very large tech companies, so some investors prefer a global index fund instead.
How accurate is this calculator?
It shows what would happen at a steady yearly return. Real markets never move in a straight line, so treat the result as a rough guide, not a promise.
Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. This page is for information only and is not financial advice.
