Calculator
DCA Calculator
Explore how consistent monthly investing may perform as an asset’s price changes over time.
Estimated ending value
$14,614
After 24 monthly investments of $500.
Start price
$100.00
Average cost
$123.17
End price
$150.00
Total invested
$12,000
Units accumulated
97.4287
Estimated gain / loss
$2,614
+21.8%
Actual market prices do not move in a straight line. Taxes, fees, dividends, and trading costs are not included.
Methodology
How this calculator works.
This simplified model creates one purchase price for every month by drawing a straight line from the starting price to the ending price. The same dollar amount is invested at each simulated price.
Core calculation
Units accumulated = Σ (Monthly investment ÷ Monthly price)
Average cost equals total invested divided by units accumulated. Ending value equals accumulated units multiplied by the ending asset price.
01
Model the prices
Evenly spaced monthly prices are generated between the starting and ending values.
02
Buy each month
The fixed monthly amount is divided by that month’s price to calculate units purchased.
03
Value the holdings
All accumulated units are valued at the final price to estimate gain or loss.
Important assumptions
- The price follows a straight-line path; real assets move unpredictably and may be volatile.
- Exactly one equal investment is made each month with fractional units available.
- Taxes, fees, spreads, dividends, staking rewards, and trading costs are excluded.
- The result illustrates the mechanics of DCA and is not a forecast of future performance.