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Otter Dollar Cost Averaging Calculator

See how regular investing adds up over time. Enter your recurring investment amount, expected return, and time horizon to compare DCA vs lump sum.

Investment Per Period ($)
Frequency
Expected Annual Return (%)
Time Period (years)
Lump Sum to Compare (optional, $)

Calculate your dollar cost averaging returns instantly — no signup, no ads. Enter how much you invest each week, biweekly, or month, your expected annual return, and the time horizon. See your total invested, projected portfolio value, and total gain. Optionally compare against a lump sum investment. Everything runs in your browser — no data stored.

What is dollar cost averaging?

Dollar cost averaging (DCA) means investing a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of price. When prices are low, you buy more shares. When prices are high, you buy fewer. Over time, this lowers your average cost per share and reduces the risk of investing everything at a market peak.

Is DCA better than lump sum investing?

Historically, lump sum investing beats DCA about two-thirds of the time because markets tend to go up. But DCA reduces your risk of buying at the worst possible time and works naturally for people investing from each paycheck.

How often should I invest with DCA?

Monthly is most common and practical — it aligns with paychecks. Weekly or biweekly works too. The frequency matters less than consistency. The key is to keep investing regularly.

Does DCA work for crypto?

Yes. DCA is especially popular for volatile assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum because it smooths out the wild price swings. Many exchanges offer automatic recurring purchases.

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