Project the growth of your 401(k) balance, including your contributions and employer match.
2025 IRS contribution limit (example)
A 401(k) calculator projects how your workplace retirement account balance could grow over time, based on your current age, retirement age, current balance, salary, your contribution percentage, and any employer match. It separates your projected balance into what comes from your own contributions, your employer's match, and investment growth — giving you a clearer picture of how each piece adds up.
This calculator compounds your balance monthly: each month, investment growth is calculated on your current balance, then your monthly contribution (yours plus your employer's match) is added before the next month's growth is calculated.
Employer match: The calculator applies your employer's match percentage to the portion of your contribution that falls within the employer's match limit. For example, if your employer matches 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary and you contribute 10%, only the first 6% of salary is matched at 50%.
Contribution limit: Your own contributions are capped at the IRS employee elective deferral limit for 2025 of $23,500 (example, for those under age 50 — those 50 and over may be eligible for additional "catch-up" contributions not modeled here).
Example: Starting at age 30 with a $20,000 balance, a $75,000 salary, contributing 10% with a 50% employer match up to 6% of salary, and a 7% annual return (example rate — actual returns are not guaranteed and vary with market conditions) until age 65, the projected balance grows substantially from a combination of contributions, employer match, and compound growth. (Note: all figures in this example are for illustration purposes only and do not represent actual rates or market conditions.)
A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged workplace retirement account offered by many US employers, often with a matching contribution as part of the benefits package — sometimes described as "free money" since it's compensation you'd otherwise leave on the table. Traditional 401(k) contributions are made pre-tax, reducing your current taxable income, while Roth 401(k) contributions are made after-tax (this calculator doesn't distinguish between the two). The IRS sets annual contribution limits that typically adjust each year — the $23,500 figure used here is the 2025 example limit for those under 50.
The employer match percentage is applied to the portion of your contribution percentage that falls within the employer's match limit (both as a percentage of salary). Contributions above the match limit are not matched.
This calculator uses the 2025 IRS employee elective deferral limit of $23,500 (example, for those under age 50). Catch-up contributions for those 50 and older are not included.
The default 7% is an example only, commonly cited for diversified long-term stock market investing. Actual returns vary significantly year to year and can be negative, so use a conservative estimate for your own planning.
No. This calculator projects your account balance growth regardless of tax treatment. Traditional contributions are pre-tax (taxed on withdrawal), while Roth contributions are after-tax (generally tax-free on qualified withdrawal) — this affects your take-home pay and tax situation but not the balance projection shown here.
Check your plan summary or HR documents for the exact match percentage and limit. Common formulas include matching 50% or 100% of contributions up to a certain percentage of salary, such as 3% or 6%.
No. This calculator shows nominal balance growth based on the inputs you provide. Investment fees, taxes on withdrawal, and inflation are not included and would all affect your real-world results.
Disclaimer: The information, rates, and figures provided on this page are for educational and illustrative purposes only. All rates, limits, and examples shown are sample values and do not reflect current or actual IRS limits, employer plan terms, or guaranteed investment returns. Financial rules and regulations change frequently. Always consult your plan administrator or a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.