Finance

Free 401(k) Calculator - Project Your Retirement Balance

Use this free 401(k) calculator to project your account balance at retirement, including your own contributions, your employer's match, and investment growth. It uses the current IRS annual contribution limits, so you can see whether your planned contribution rate fits within them - no sign-up required.

Educational estimate only - not financial advice

Your details

Current age

Retirement age

Current 401(k) balance

Annual salary

Contribution and match

Your contribution

Expected annual return

Employer match rate

Match applies up to

% of salary

Your selected contribution percentage exceeds the annual IRS employee limit in some years. The calculator automatically caps your contribution at the legal limit for your age in those years.

Projected balance at retirement

Your total contributions$0

Total employer match$0

Total investment growth$0

Years until retirement0

Employer match - your "free money"

Total employer contributions added to your balance over the full period, on top of your own savings.

For 2026, the IRS employee contribution limit is $24,500. Savers age 50 and older can add a $8,000 catch-up contribution ($32,500 total), and those turning 60-63 in 2026 get a higher $11,250 catch-up ($35,750 total). This calculator applies these limits automatically based on the ages entered above.

What is a 401(k) calculator and why it matters

A 401(k) calculator projects how your workplace retirement account could grow by factoring in three separate sources of growth: your own payroll contributions, your employer's matching contributions, and investment returns compounding over your working years. This matters because the employer match is effectively part of your compensation - failing to contribute enough to capture the full match means leaving money on the table that your employer was willing to give you. Seeing your projected balance broken into these three pieces makes it clear exactly how much of your future retirement balance comes from your own savings discipline versus your employer's contribution versus market growth, which is useful both for motivation and for deciding whether to increase your contribution rate.

How this calculator works

The calculator runs a year-by-year, then month-by-month simulation from your current age to your retirement age. Each year, it checks your desired contribution percentage against the IRS annual employee contribution limit for your age that year - automatically applying the standard catch-up limit at age 50 and the higher catch-up limit for ages 60 through 63 - and caps your contribution if needed. It then calculates your employer's match using your match rate and match limit, applies both contributions monthly, and compounds the running balance at your expected annual return. The employer match total shown separately reflects only the employer's contributions, not your own, so you can see that portion clearly.

Common searches this calculator answers

How much will my 401(k) be worth at retirement?
How much free money am I getting from my employer's 401(k) match?
What is the 401(k) contribution limit this year?
How much should I contribute to my 401(k) to get the full match?
How do catch-up contributions work after age 50?
How does my contribution percentage affect my retirement balance?

How to use it

Enter your current age, planned retirement age, current 401(k) balance, and annual salary.
Enter the percentage of your salary you plan to contribute.
Enter your employer's match rate and the salary percentage up to which it applies - check your plan documents for these exact numbers.
Enter your expected annual investment return.
Review your projected balance, and check the "employer match" figure to see how much free money that match adds over time.

Tips

At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match - anything less means turning down part of your compensation.
If your contribution percentage produces an amount above the IRS limit for your age, this calculator automatically caps it and shows a notice - check your actual plan's rules if you rely on exact figures.
Increasing your contribution percentage even slightly, especially early in your career, has an outsized effect thanks to decades of compounding.
Match formulas vary widely between employers - always confirm your plan's exact match rate and limit from your benefits documentation rather than assuming a common formula.
This tool does not account for vesting schedules - some employers require a number of years of service before employer contributions are fully yours.

Frequently asked questions

Is this 401(k) calculator free to use?

Yes. It is completely free, runs entirely in your browser, and does not require any sign-up or download.

Is this financial advice?

No. This tool provides an educational estimate based on the numbers you enter and assumed rates of return. It is not personalized financial advice - consult a licensed financial advisor or your plan provider for guidance specific to your situation.

What is the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?

For 2026, the IRS employee contribution limit is $24,500. Savers age 50 or older can contribute an additional $8,000 catch-up amount for a total of $32,500, and those turning 60 through 63 in 2026 have a higher catch-up limit of $11,250, for a total of $35,750.

Does the employer match count toward my personal contribution limit?

No. The employee limit described above applies only to what you personally contribute. Employer contributions are separate, though there is a higher combined employee-and-employer limit that applies to the total.

What does "match up to 6% of salary" actually mean?

It means your employer matches your contributions at the stated rate, but only up to the point where your own contribution reaches 6% of your salary. Contributing beyond that percentage still grows your own balance, but no longer increases the employer match.

Does this calculator account for vesting?

No. Some employers require you to work a certain number of years before employer contributions fully belong to you if you leave the company. Check your plan's vesting schedule separately, since this calculator assumes all employer contributions are fully vested.

Why did my contribution get capped in the results?

If the dollar amount produced by your entered contribution percentage exceeds the IRS annual limit for your age in a given year, the calculator automatically caps that year's contribution at the legal limit and displays a notice above the results.

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