PPF calculator: Calculate your tax-free returns

Secure your future with tax-free returns. Calculate the maturity amount and interest earned on your PPF account.

Last updated: May 2026

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Enter your yearly investment, interest rate, and tenure to visualize your PPF wealth journey.

PPF Calculator: Calculate your public provident fund returns

Millions of Indians use PPF to secure their retirement. The sovereign guarantee keeps your money safe, and the returns are completely tax-free. But calculating the maturity value manually gets messy because of annual compounding. Put in your planned deposit above to see how your savings grow.

This PPF calculator removes all the guesswork. If you want to calculate tax-free returns for any yearly savings target (guaranteed sovereign compounding plans). Just enter your annual deposit and tenure above.

How can an online PPF calculator help you?

Planning for a 15-year horizon is difficult. Over 70% of long-term savers struggle to estimate their maturity values due to compounding.

Using an online PPF calculator removes all the guesswork. Here is how it helps you:

  • ✓Calculate your exact maturity value and tax-free interest returns instantly.
  • ✓Avoid manual compound interest and tax deduction calculation mistakes.
  • ✓Plan your long-term retirement and systematic savings goals with complete accuracy.
  • ✓Completely free to use with zero logins or registration steps.

How to use this PPF calculator

Put in your yearly deposit, the rate of interest, and the time period in years. The calculator shows your total invested amount, interest earned, and final maturity value right away. No sign-up required.

How does the PPF formula work?

Interest on a PPF account compounds once a year. The calculation assumes you make your deposits at the beginning of each financial year:

F = P × [((1 + i)ⁿ − 1) / i] × (1 + i)

Knowing what each letter stands for makes the math simple:

SymbolVariableWhat it represents
FMaturity valueThe total tax-free fund you get at the end of the tenure.
PAnnual DepositThe amount you save each year, capped at Rs. 1.5 lakh.
iInterest RateThe government rate divided by 100 (e.g. 0.071 for 7.1%).
nTenureThe duration of the investment in years (minimum 15 years).

This compounding math drives your long-term returns.

Factors affecting your PPF returns

Annual deposit limit

You can deposit between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1.5 lakh per financial year. Any deposit exceeding Rs. 1.5 lakh does not earn interest. It also does not qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C.

Government interest rate

The government reviews and declares the interest rate every quarter. Even though the rate moves over time, it usually stays higher than bank fixed deposits.

See how compounding shifts your final returns. Here is how a Rs. 1.5 lakh yearly deposit grows over 15 years at different rates:

Interest rateTotal investedMaturity valueInterest earned
6.5% p.a.Rs. 22,50,000Rs. 38,47,159Rs. 15,97,159
7.1% p.a. (Current)Rs. 22,50,000Rs. 40,68,209Rs. 18,18,209
7.5% p.a.Rs. 22,50,000Rs. 42,22,298Rs. 19,72,298

Compounding and extensions

Compounding works best over long periods. Extending your PPF account by 5 years without fresh deposits allows your entire balance to earn interest. This creates a massive compounding loop.

Frequently asked questions

How much can i deposit in my PPF account every year?

You can save anywhere between ₹500 and ₹1.5 lakh in a financial year. Go over that ₹1.5 lakh limit, and the extra money will not earn any interest. You can deposit the amount in one go or spread it out in multiple payments across the year. The extra amount also gets no tax benefits under Section 80C.

Can i extend my PPF account beyond 15 years?

Yes, in 5-year blocks. The 15-year term ends and you can roll it over as many times as you want. No cap on extensions.

What happens if i miss the annual minimum deposit?

Your PPF account becomes inactive if you do not pay at least ₹500 in a financial year. Reviving the account requires paying a small penalty of ₹50 for each inactive year. You must also deposit the minimum ₹500 for each year the account was inactive. Loan and withdrawal facilities remain frozen until you clear the dues.

Does PPF allow early withdrawals?

Partial withdrawals open up from year seven. The limit is 50% of the balance from either four years prior or the previous year, whichever is lower. No tax, no penalty.

How is PPF interest calculated and credited?

Calculated monthly, credited once a year on March 31st. The base is the lowest balance between the 5th and the last day of each month. Deposit before the 5th and that month's balance counts. Miss it and you lose that month's interest.

Can a minor have a PPF account?

Parents can open one account for a minor child. Just remember that the combined deposit limit for both you and your child's account is ₹1.5 lakh a year. Once the child turns 18, the account can be officially handed over to them.

Is there any tax on the PPF maturity amount?

Nothing. PPF is EEE - Exempt-Exempt-Exempt. Deposits, interest, and the final payout are all tax-free. Not many instruments in India offer that across all three stages.

PPF Vs mutual funds: Which option should i choose?

Two very different instruments. PPF is government-backed, the return is guaranteed, and the whole thing is tax-free. Mutual funds carry market risk but the long-term growth potential is higher. Most people end up using both rather than picking one.

Want to see how PPF compounding works in real life? Scroll down!

Worked example: PPF Wealth compounding milestones

Consider an example of maximizing PPF savings by investing Rs. 1,50,000 at the start of every financial year. With a steady sovereign interest rate of 7.1% per year, here is how the savings compound across different milestones:

MilestoneAnnual depositTotal investedInterest earnedTax-free maturity
After 15 YearsRs. 1,50,000Rs. 22,50,000Rs. 18,18,209Rs. 40,68,209
After 20 YearsRs. 1,50,000Rs. 30,00,000Rs. 36,58,288Rs. 66,58,288
After 25 YearsRs. 1,50,000Rs. 37,50,000Rs. 65,58,315Rs. 1,03,08,315

This demonstrates the power of long-term compounding. Over 25 years, the total tax-free maturity amount exceeds Rs. 1 crore. Every rupee of this maturity corpus is completely exempt from tax under the Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) status. For comparative market-linked growth projections, you can use our dynamic SIP Calculator.

Important note

PPF interest is calculated monthly on the minimum balance between the 5th and last day of the month, but credited annually on March 31st.

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This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice.