Investment Fee Calculator
Enter your portfolio value, expected return and the expense ratio. We show what fees cost you over the years versus a fee-free baseline.
Assumes a lump sum that compounds annually at the return minus the fee. Real funds charge daily and returns vary; the point is the long-run drag of the fee.
Frequently asked questions
How much do investment fees really cost?
Fees look tiny but compound against you for decades. A 1% annual fee on a portfolio earning 7% leaves you with the return of 6% — and over 30 years that can consume roughly a quarter of your final balance versus a near-zero-fee index fund. The calculator shows the exact drag.
What is a good expense ratio?
Broad index funds often charge 0.03%–0.10% a year. Actively managed funds commonly charge 0.50%–1.00% or more. Everything above about 0.20% is worth questioning, because higher fees have not historically delivered higher returns after costs.
Are fees taken out automatically?
Yes. The expense ratio is deducted from the fund's assets daily, so you never write a check — but it quietly lowers your return every single year. That is why comparing expense ratios matters as much as comparing past performance.
Do taxes count as an investment fee?
No. Taxes are separate and depend on the account type and your bracket. This calculator isolates the fund's expense ratio so you can see the cost of the investment itself.