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Regular Savings Drip Calculator

Regular savers pay the best headline rates, but that rate isn't what you actually earn. See your REAL interest, not the misleading "rate × total paid in" figure.

Estimate only. Rates, monthly caps and account terms are editable examples and change frequently between providers, check the current terms before opening an account. This is an illustrative calculation of typical regular-saver interest, not a quote or financial advice.

Enter your regular saver plan

Your real interest over the 12-month term, and why it's less than "rate × total", appears here as you type.

Why 7% doesn't mean what you think

A regular saver's headline rate only ever applies to the money that's actually IN the account, for however long it's been there. If you pay in £300 on the 1st of each month, by month 1 you only have £300 earning interest for that month, not the full £3,600 you'll eventually pay in. By month 12 you have the full £3,600, but only for that last month. Add up interest on the actual monthly balance and the total works out close to the rate applied to the AVERAGE balance held over the year (roughly 6.5/12 of the total you pay in), not the full amount.

That's why a 7% regular saver on £300/month for 12 months earns around £136, not £252 (7% of the full £3,600 paid in). It's still the best rate available for that money, just be realistic about the cash amount, especially if you're comparing it to other accounts or budgeting around the interest.