401(k) Calculator
401(k) calculator: project your retirement balance with salary contributions, employer match and investment growth.
Editorial review: Farrow (pseudonym; identity and professional credentials are not disclosed). This page is for educational purposes, not professional advice.
Updated
Your inputs
Results update as you type. Nothing you enter leaves your device.
Results
- Starting balance
- $40,000
- Your contributions
- $273,444
- Employer match
- $82,033
- Investment growth
- $512,009
Example with the starting values
These results use the calculator's initial inputs. Change the values above to calculate your own estimate.
Inputs
- Current balance
- 40000 $
- Annual salary
- 75000 $
- Your contribution
- 10 %
- Employer match
- 50 % of contrib.
- Match up to
- 6 % of salary
- Salary growth
- 3 %/yr
- Expected return
- 6 %/yr
- Years to retirement
- 25
Results
- Balance in 25 years
- $907,486
- Starting balance
- $40,000
- Your contributions
- $273,444
- Employer match
- $82,033
- Investment growth
- $512,009
How does the 401(k) Calculator work?
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account that lets you invest part of each paycheck, often with a matching contribution from your employer.
Each year your contribution is your salary × contribution %, capped at the IRS employee limit. The employer adds match % of your contributions, up to the match cap as a percent of salary.
The balance grows at the expected return, with contributions assumed to arrive mid-year. The 2026 employee limit is $24,500 and is held flat here, which is conservative because the IRS raises it with inflation.
For example, a $40,000 balance with a $75,000 salary, a 10% contribution and a 50% match up to 6% of salary grows to about $907,486 in 25 years at a 6% return, of which $273,444 is your own contributions.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute?
At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match. That match is an immediate return on your money.
Are the results in today's dollars?
No, they are nominal. To see today's purchasing power, subtract about 2.5% to 3% inflation from your expected return.
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
$24,500 in employee deferrals. Workers 50 and older can add an $8,000 catch-up, and employer contributions do not count toward the employee limit.
Can I withdraw from my 401(k) before 59½?
Yes, but early withdrawals are usually taxed as income plus a 10% penalty. Exceptions include leaving your job in or after the year you turn 55.