Most mutual fund calculators ignore the silent killer: the expense ratio. Over a 30-year horizon, the difference between a 0.10% index fund and a 1.5% active fund can be 40%+ of your final corpus. This calculator nets out the expense ratio so you see what actually lands in your account.
Mutual Fund Returns Calculator
Project net returns from mutual funds — handles both lumpsum and SIP, after expense ratio.
Mutual Fund Returns
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Gross vs Net Returns
Funds quote ‘gross’ or ‘NAV’ returns — the underlying portfolio’s performance. But you don’t get those. You get returns minus the expense ratio (annual fee), which is silently deducted from NAV every day.
A fund with 12% gross returns and a 1.5% expense ratio gives you a net 10.5%. Over 30 years on a $500/month SIP, that 1.5% drag costs you over $400,000 in lost compounding.
The Formula
Then for SIP: FV = P × [((1+r/12)12n − 1) / (r/12)] × (1+r/12)
For lumpsum: FV = P × (1+r)n
Worked Example
Tips to Maximise Net Returns
- Prefer index funds and ETFs — expense ratios of 0.05–0.20% vs 1.0–2.0% for active funds.
- Direct plans over regular plans — direct plans cut out distributor commissions, saving 0.5–1.0% annually.
- Avoid high-churn ‘sector’ funds — they often charge 1.5%+ and rarely outperform.
- Watch out for exit loads — most equity funds charge 1% if redeemed within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What expense ratio should I assume?▾
Are taxes included?▾
Lumpsum or SIP — which mode should I use?▾
Why does a 1% expense ratio matter so much?▾
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