401K Calculator

Use this free 401K calculator to project retirement account growth from current balance, salary contribution percent, employer match, estimated return, and years to grow.

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Formula steps Estimate limits shown Examples included Private history

Current balance ($)Annual salary ($)Your contribution (%)Employer match (%)Match limit (% of salary)Estimated return (%)Years to grow

Projected 401K balance$700,059.74

8% of $75,000 salary for 25 years

Your monthly contribution: $500.00
Employer monthly match: $187.50
Your total contributions: $150,000.00
Employer total match: $56,250.00

This projection does not enforce current IRS limits or your employer plan rules.

Formula steps

Convert your salary contribution percent into a monthly contribution.
Estimate employer match from match percent and match limit.
Add employee and employer contributions each month.
Compound the current balance and monthly contributions using the estimated return.

How to use the 401k calculator

Enter the requested dollar amounts, rates, terms, tax settings, or contribution details.
Use rates as percentages, such as 6.5 for 6.5%, and check whether a field asks for a monthly or annual amount.
Press the calculate button to see the answer, supporting metrics, and formula steps.
Use the result as a planning estimate only, then copy it if the assumptions look right.

Common uses

Estimate how salary contribution percent affects a 401K balance.

Compare the impact of an employer match.

Project long-term growth from current balance and monthly deposits.

Check savings scenarios before reviewing the official plan rules.

Examples

8% contribution $75,000 salary, 8%, 50% match up to 6%

Projected 401K balance

Start from zero $60,000 salary, 6%, 100% match up to 4%

Long-term projection

Catch-up scenario $120,000 saved, 12% contribution, 15 years

Projected balance

Frequently asked questions

Plain-language answers about when to use the estimate, what your numbers mean, what is left out, and how privacy works.

When should I use the 401K Calculator?

Use it for early planning and side-by-side comparisons, especially for tasks like these: Estimate how salary contribution percent affects a 401K balance. Compare the impact of an employer match. Treat the answer as a planning estimate, not a final quote.

What is the 401K Calculator doing with my numbers?

In plain language: The calculator converts your salary contribution and estimated employer match into monthly deposits, then compounds the current balance and deposits monthly. If the result seems too high or too low, first check whether each field expects a monthly amount, annual amount, dollar value, or percent.

What does this estimate leave out?

This is a simplified projection. It does not enforce IRS limits, plan rules, vesting, taxes, loans, withdrawals, fees, or market volatility. Real finance decisions can also depend on fees, timing, local rules, credit details, and provider-specific terms.

Does the site save my finance inputs?

No. The calculator runs in your browser tab. Recent answers stay only on the page while you use it, and they are not sent to a server.