PPF Calculator
Calculate Public Provident Fund maturity.
finance
Adjust the inputs below
Ready when you are
Adjust the inputs on the left to see your maturity value.
A slow, tax-free way to build a corpus
The Public Provident Fund is not exciting, and that is rather the point. You lock money away for 15 years, the government pays interest set each quarter, and the whole thing is tax-free at every stage: the money you put in, the interest it earns, and the amount you withdraw. That last bit, often called EEE, is rare and valuable.
This calculator projects where your PPF lands. Enter your yearly contribution, the interest rate, and the number of years, and it shows the maturity amount along with how much is your own money versus earned interest.
How the interest builds
PPF interest compounds once a year. Each year's closing balance becomes the base for the next year's interest, and your fresh contribution adds to it. Over 15 years that yearly compounding quietly stacks up, even though the rate itself is modest. The official rule credits interest on the lowest balance between the 5th and the end of each month, which is why depositing before the 5th helps.
What 1.5 lakh a year grows into
Suppose you invest the full 1,50,000 a year, the current cap, and assume around 7.1 percent. After 15 years your contributions total 22,50,000. The maturity value lands near 40.6 lakh. So roughly 18 lakh of tax-free interest on top of what you put in, with zero market risk and zero tax on the way out.
Push further by extending in blocks of five years after maturity, which PPF allows, and the corpus accelerates because it is now compounding on a much larger base. Patience is the entire strategy here.
Things that catch people out
PPF rewards consistency and punishes haste. Worth knowing before you commit:
- The rate is not fixed for the whole tenure. The government revises it every quarter, so your projection uses today's rate as a stand-in for the future.
- The annual cap is 1,50,000 and contributions qualify under Section 80C. Deposit at least 500 a year to keep the account active.
- Money is locked for 15 years. Partial withdrawals open up from the 7th year, and a loan facility exists in the early years, but this is not a place for cash you might need soon.
Use the projection to plan a long goal like retirement or a child's education. Just remember the rate can move, so revisit the number once a year and adjust.
PPF Calculator — frequently asked questions
Is PPF interest really tax-free?
Yes. PPF falls under the EEE category, which means the contribution qualifies for deduction under Section 80C, the interest earned is exempt, and the maturity amount is tax-free too. Very few instruments offer all three. That tax-free status is a big reason PPF stays attractive even though its headline interest rate looks modest next to equity options.
How much can I invest in PPF each year?
The annual limit is 1,50,000 across your PPF accounts, and you must deposit at least 500 a year to keep the account active. You can pay in one shot or in instalments. Going over the cap earns no interest on the excess, so depositing exactly up to the limit, ideally early in the year, gets the most out of it.
When can I withdraw money from PPF?
The account matures after 15 years, when you can take the full amount tax-free. Partial withdrawals are allowed from the seventh year, subject to limits, and a loan facility exists in the early years. Because the lock-in is long, PPF suits goals that are many years away rather than money you might need at short notice.
Does the PPF interest rate stay fixed?
No. The government reviews and sets the PPF rate every quarter, so it can move up or down over your 15-year term. Any projection uses the current rate as a stand-in for the future, which means your real maturity amount may differ. It is worth rechecking your estimate once a year and adjusting your plan.
Can I extend my PPF account after 15 years?
Yes. After maturity you can extend in blocks of five years, with or without making fresh contributions. Extending is powerful because the interest now compounds on a much larger balance, so the corpus grows faster than in the early years. Many people use this to turn PPF into a steady, tax-free income source later in life.
Why should I deposit in PPF before the 5th of the month?
Interest is calculated on the lowest balance in the account between the 5th and the last day of each month. If you deposit after the 5th, that month treats your balance as if the new money was not there. Paying in before the 5th, or ideally early in the financial year, earns you more interest over time.
Related calculators
Currency Converter
Convert between 30 major world currencies instantly with reference rates — see the converted amount, exchange rate, and inverse rate.
EMI Calculator
Calculate Equated Monthly Instalments for home, personal, car, and education loans — with interest split and total payable.
SIP Calculator
Project the future value of a Systematic Investment Plan — see how a fixed monthly contribution compounds over years.
Compound Interest Calculator
See how a one-time principal grows under compound interest at any rate, tenure, and compounding frequency (daily, monthly, quarterly, yearly).
Results from this calculator are estimates for informational use only — not financial, medical, or professional advice. Read our full disclaimer before acting on any number you see here.