A recurring deposit builds a lump sum out of a fixed monthly deposit. Enter the monthly amount, the annual rate and the tenure to see the maturity value, calculated the way banks do — with quarterly compounding.
Each monthly deposit earns interest for the time it stays in the account, and interest is compounded every quarter (every 3 months). This calculator uses that same standard method, with each deposit assumed at the start of the month.
Banks usually charge a small penalty and the maturity value drops a little. This estimate assumes every deposit is made on time.
They suit different savers: an FD starts from one lump sum you already have, while an RD builds the sum gradually from monthly deposits. Their interest rates are usually similar.