About the PPF Calculator
The Public Provident Fund is a long-term, government-backed savings scheme in India that combines guaranteed returns with tax benefits. This calculator estimates what your PPF account will be worth at maturity based on your yearly contribution, the interest rate, and the number of years you stay invested.
How PPF growth is calculated
PPF interest compounds annually. Each year, your contribution is added to the running balance and the whole amount earns interest for that year, which is then added to the balance for the next year. Because interest builds on previously earned interest, the corpus grows slowly at first and then accelerates noticeably in the later years. The calculator runs this year-by-year compounding for the full term and separates how much you contributed from how much was earned as interest.
The standard 15-year term
A PPF account has a mandatory lock-in of fifteen years, which is why the default here is fifteen. After maturity you can extend the account in blocks of five years, with or without further contributions, and the compounding simply continues. The long horizon is the point of the scheme: it rewards patience, and the final years contribute a disproportionate share of the total because the balance earning interest is largest then.
Contribution limits and rate
There is an annual maximum you can deposit into PPF, and the interest rate is set by the government and revised periodically rather than fixed for the life of the account. Because the rate can change, the calculator lets you enter the current rate, but bear in mind future years may earn slightly more or less. Enter your realistic annual contribution rather than the maximum if you do not intend to deposit the full limit each year.
Why PPF is popular
PPF appeals to conservative savers because the returns are guaranteed by the government, making it effectively risk-free, and because it enjoys favourable tax treatment on contributions, interest, and maturity. It suits goals with a long, fixed horizon such as retirement or a child’s education, where capital safety matters more than chasing higher but riskier market returns.
Tips and caveats
The maturity figure is an estimate based on a constant rate; actual returns will vary as the government revises the rate. PPF is illiquid by design, so only commit money you will not need for the lock-in period, though partial withdrawals are permitted from later years. For market-linked growth that may be higher but carries risk, compare with the SIP Calculator, and for fixed deposits the RD/FD Maturity Calculator. All calculations run in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is PPF interest calculated?
Interest compounds annually on the balance including each year’s deposit.
What is the standard PPF tenure?
15 years, though it can be extended in blocks of 5.
Is the rate fixed?
The government revises the PPF rate periodically. Enter the current rate.
Is PPF tax-free?
PPF enjoys EEE status in India, but confirm current rules with a tax professional.
Where does it run?
In your browser only.