Mutual Fund Calculator
Why expense ratios compound too
An expense ratio of 0.75% does not just skim $75 per $10,000 once — every dollar paid in fees is a dollar that never compounds. The calculator models this by subtracting the ratio from the annual return, then runs the same monthly growth simulation on both the gross and the net rate. The gap between the two balances is what the fund charges you over the whole period, and it grows fastest in the final years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good expense ratio?
Broad index funds often charge under 0.10% per year, while actively managed funds commonly charge 0.5%–1.5%. Over decades the difference can rival your total contributions, which is the comparison the chart makes.
Does this include sales loads or taxes?
No. Loads (purchase or redemption commissions), transaction costs, and capital-gains taxes are separate. The projection isolates the ongoing expense ratio so you can see its effect on its own.