Scaling Up Calculator
Understand what it takes to grow your trading account. Model compound growth, regular contributions, and see what monthly returns are required to reach your goals.
Your Parameters
Projected Growth Over Time
| Month | Balance | Growth | Cumulative |
|---|
How It Works
Compound Growth
Each month, your returns earn returns. A 5% monthly return doesn't just add 5% of your starting balance — it compounds on the growing total.
Regular Contributions
Adding money monthly accelerates growth significantly. Consistent contributions can reduce the return rate needed to reach your target.
Required Return
The calculator shows the exact monthly return percentage needed to go from your current account to your target in the given time period — without contributions.
The Formula
For each month, the projected balance compounds as:
The required monthly return (without contributions) uses:
When to Use This Calculator
Setting Realistic Goals
Before committing to a trading plan, understand whether your account size and expected returns can realistically achieve your financial targets.
Evaluating Contributions
See how adding $100, $500, or $1000 per month changes your timeline and required return rate. Often, contributing more beats trying to earn more.
Comparing Scenarios
Model different return rates, time horizons, and contribution levels side by side. Find the plan that balances ambition with reality.
Career Planning
Estimate when trading income could replace other income sources — and what account size you'd need to make that viable.
Reality Check
Consistent monthly returns are extremely hard. A 5% monthly return compounds to nearly 80% annually. Very few professional traders achieve this consistently over years.
Most traders do not achieve consistent monthly returns. Markets fluctuate. Some months are losses. Drawdowns are normal and expected — no strategy wins every month.
This is an educational tool, not a guarantee. The projections assume smooth, uninterrupted compounding. Real trading is lumpy, unpredictable, and emotionally demanding.
Focus on risk management first, returns second. Protecting your capital is more important than chasing high returns. A solid risk framework lets you survive long enough for compounding to work.