Free investing calculator
Dividend Calculator: Monthly Income & DRIP
Estimate dividend income for a stock or ETF, compare cash with reinvestment, and see how contributions change your results. Every number below is an editable projection.
Illustrative example
Projected dividend income
$91 / month
Year 10 monthly equivalent, after estimated dividend tax
At the year-10 run rate. Actual payouts can change.
100 shares at $100 · 4% yield · $100/month added · DRIP on. Edit assumptions
Adjust your scenario
Choose a ticker or use your own assumptions.
Year-by-year dividend projection
Actual modeled payments within each year, followed by an income run rate at year-end.
| Year | Gross dividends | Estimated tax | Net dividends | Ending shares | Share value | Monthly equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $431 | $65 | $366 | 115.49 | $11,780 | $33 |
| 2 | $503 | $75 | $428 | 131.27 | $13,657 | $38 |
| 3 | $579 | $87 | $492 | 147.36 | $15,637 | $43 |
| 4 | $659 | $99 | $561 | 163.76 | $17,726 | $49 |
| 5 | $744 | $112 | $632 | 180.5 | $19,928 | $55 |
| 6 | $833 | $125 | $708 | 197.59 | $22,251 | $62 |
| 7 | $927 | $139 | $788 | 215.04 | $24,701 | $69 |
| 8 | $1,027 | $154 | $873 | 232.88 | $27,285 | $76 |
| 9 | $1,131 | $170 | $962 | 251.12 | $30,011 | $83 |
| 10 | $1,242 | $186 | $1,055 | 269.77 | $32,885 | $91 |
Investment needed for a monthly income target
A starting estimate using your current yield and tax assumptions, before growth, reinvestment, or contributions.
$6,000 in annual after-tax income, shown as a monthly equivalent. Payments still follow the selected fund's schedule.
How to read this dividend calculator
Start with the monthly equivalent to compare income with your monthly budget. A quarterly payer does not send that amount every month: if the annual estimate is $480, the monthly equivalent is $40, while four equal quarterly payments would be $120 each before changes in shares, dividend amount, or tax. Check the payment frequency before planning cash flow.
Worked example: income from 100 shares
The example starts with 100 shares at $100 each and a 4% annual yield. That implies $4 per share, or $400 gross in the first year before new contributions, growth, and reinvestment. With quarterly payments, that is four hypothetical $1 payments per share. A 15% dividend tax assumption leaves $340, equivalent to about $28.33 per month. The result above can differ because the model adds $100 each month and, when DRIP is on, reinvests each after-tax payment.
Calculation method and assumptions
The starting annual dividend per share equals share price multiplied by annual yield. The model splits that amount across the selected payment dates, increases it once per year by your dividend growth assumption, estimates tax on each payment, and optionally buys fractional shares with the remainder. It then buys shares using the monthly contribution. Share price changes by a constant compounded monthly rate. The annual table reports dividends actually modeled during each year; the headline monthly equivalent uses the ending shares and current year's assumed dividend rate divided by twelve.
The target calculator uses annual target income divided by yield after your assumed dividend tax. It is a starting balance estimate, not an account projection. Actual dividends can rise, fall, or stop; market prices and tax treatment vary. Ticker price and trailing yield are starting data when available, while growth rates remain your assumptions. For a more detailed reinvestment comparison, use the DRIP calculator.
Dividend calculator FAQs
It is an estimated annual dividend income run rate divided by 12. If a stock or ETF pays quarterly, the actual cash arrives quarterly rather than every month. Dividends are not guaranteed and can change.
No. The model pays dividends according to the frequency you select. When DRIP is on, it reinvests the after-tax amount on each modeled payment date. For the default quarterly example, reinvestment occurs four times per year.
This scenario models one holding at a time. Run separate scenarios for other holdings and combine their income estimates outside the calculator. The CSV export can help you keep each scenario's assumptions and results.
Yes. You can edit assumptions, view the annual breakdown, export a CSV, and share a scenario link without signing up.
Use the hypothetical starting example or choose a ticker to load a price and trailing yield when available. Set shares, contribution, payment frequency, tax, growth, and reinvestment assumptions. The results and annual table update as you edit the inputs.
The starting estimate divides 12 times your monthly income target by the starting dividend yield after your selected dividend tax rate. It excludes future dividend changes, price movements, and contributions. The target is a monthly equivalent, not a payment calendar.
No. The calculator assumes smooth price and dividend growth at the rates you enter. Actual dividends, stock prices, taxes, and payment schedules can differ. Treat the results as scenarios rather than forecasts.