Common mistakes people make with the SIP Calculator
Most wrong SIP results are not calculator errors — they are input errors, and they follow the same few patterns. Knowing them in advance is cheaper than discovering them years into an investment. Here are the mistakes that show up again and again.
Entering the monthly return as the annual return
A fund quotes 12% a year. If you type 1 into the return box thinking it wants a monthly figure, the calculator will happily produce a tiny maturity value that no fund will match. Always enter the annual return exactly as quoted; the division by 12 happens inside.
Mixing up years and months
A 120-month SIP is a 10-year SIP. Typing 120 into a tenure box that expects years produces a 120-year SIP and a nonsense maturity value. Check the unit beside every box before you trust the answer.
Treating a projection as a promise
₹10,000 a month at 12% a year for 15 years grows to ₹50,45,760. You invest ₹18,00,000, so the gain is ₹32,45,760. That figure assumes 12% every single year for 15 years. Real funds do not grow in a straight line — some years are higher, some lower, and a few are negative. Use the calculator to compare plans, not to predict your exact balance.
Forgetting fees and taxes
Fund expenses, exit loads and taxes sit outside the formula, so the amount you actually receive can be lower than the calculator shows. A small annual expense, repeated for years, also compounds — against you.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my fund statement differ from the calculator?
Usually a different actual return, fund expenses, or the timing of investments within each month. A small difference is normal; a large one means an input is wrong.
Is a higher projected return always better?
No. A higher projection often comes with higher risk, and a fund that swings widely can end lower than a steadier one with a lower average.
Should I include a lump sum I already have?
Not in the SIP figure. A lump sum grows separately, so calculate it on its own and add the two results if you want a combined view.
Enter your monthly SIP, expected return and years to get your maturity value, total invested and gains.