How to use this crypto DCA calculator
Enter how much you plan to invest each month, for how many years, and the average annual return you want to assume. The calculator compounds each contribution monthly and shows your projected balance, the total you put in, and the projected gain. Because you invest the same amount on a schedule — dollar-cost averaging — you buy more coins when prices are low and fewer when they are high.
The formula
Future value = M × (((1 + r)n − 1) ÷ r) · r = annual return ÷ 12 · n = months
M is your monthly amount. Total invested = M × n. Projected gain = future value − total invested.
Worked example
Investing $100/month for 5 years (60 months) at a 10% assumed annual return:
- Total invested: $100 × 60 = $6,000
- Projected value: ≈ $7,743.71
- Projected gain: ≈ $1,743.71
Why people DCA into crypto
Crypto prices swing hard, and timing the bottom is almost impossible. Dollar-cost averaging removes that decision: you invest a fixed amount on a fixed schedule no matter the price. It won't beat a perfectly timed lump sum, but it lowers the risk of buying everything at the top and is easy to automate.
Common mistakes to avoid
Assuming an unrealistically high return — crypto can also lose value, so model a conservative figure. Forgetting that past performance does not predict future results. Treating the projection as a promise rather than a scenario. Investing more than you can afford to lose in a volatile asset.
Frequently asked questions
What is dollar-cost averaging (DCA)?
Investing a fixed amount on a regular schedule regardless of price, so you buy more when it's cheap and less when it's expensive.
$100/month for 5 years at 10% — what do I get?
You invest $6,000 and the projection is about $7,743 — a gain of roughly $1,743. Returns aren't guaranteed.
Is the expected return guaranteed?
No. Crypto is highly volatile; the rate is an assumption you choose, not a promise.
Does it work for Bitcoin and altcoins?
Yes — the maths is the same for any coin. Just set your own monthly amount and assumed return.
Is my data saved?
No. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.