Investment Fee Calculator (Expense Ratio Impact)
See how the expense ratio of a fund changes your balance over the years, comparing a lower-cost fund with a higher-cost fund with the same contributions and gross return.
Free · runs in your browser · Checked 30 September 2026Fee impact
Move the sliders or type your own numbers. Results are estimates that assume a constant rate and are not guaranteed.
🧠 How this is calculated
Both balances grow at (gross return − expense ratio) with the same contributions. The difference at the end is what the higher fee costs you.
Calculations run in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to us. Results are estimates that depend on the assumptions shown.
❓ FAQs
What is an expense ratio?
It is a fund’s annual operating expenses shown as a percentage of its assets. It is deducted from the fund’s assets, so it reduces your return every year.
Are the fees in the calculator real?
No. They are placeholders. Use the expense ratios shown in each fund’s prospectus or on your brokerage’s fund page.
Is this financial advice?
No. The calculator shows what happens under the numbers you enter. Rates, limits and tax rules change; confirm with the provider or a licensed professional.
Results are illustrations, not offers or advice. Investments can lose value; bank deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category.