401(k) Calculator – Estimate Your Retirement Savings
Project your 401(k) balance including employer match.
About the 401(k) Calculator
What is the 401(k) Calculator?
A 401(k) calculator projects your retirement account balance by combining your contributions, any employer match and investment growth.
Why use this calculator?
The employer match is free money that dramatically boosts retirement savings. Seeing the projected balance shows why contributing at least enough to get the full match matters.
How to use it
- Enter your salary and contribution percentage.
- Enter the employer match rate.
- Enter your current balance, expected return and years to retirement.
Formula
Annual total = salary × (your rate + match); compounded to retirement.
Subject to annual IRS limits. The match often has a cap and a vesting schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I contribute?
At minimum, contribute enough to capture the full employer match. Financial planners often suggest 10% to 15% of income including the match.
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional contributions reduce taxable income now; Roth contributions are taxed now but grow tax-free. The best choice depends on your tax rates.
What is compound interest?
Compound interest is interest earned on both your original money and on previously earned interest. Over time it can make savings grow much faster than simple interest.
What is the difference between nominal and effective return?
The nominal return ignores compounding within the year, while the effective (annualised) return accounts for it. The effective figure is usually higher and better reflects real growth.
How does inflation affect my returns?
Inflation erodes purchasing power. The real return is the nominal return minus inflation, so an investment can grow in dollars yet still lose value in what it can buy.
What rate of return should I assume?
A common long-term assumption for a diversified stock portfolio is about 6% to 8% per year after inflation, but returns vary and are never guaranteed.
Does this account for taxes and fees?
Unless stated, the tool shows pre-tax, pre-fee growth. Subtract your fund expense ratio and expected tax rate to estimate what you keep.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes. Every calculator on this site is completely free, with no hidden fees, no subscriptions and no limits on how many times you can use it.
How accurate are the results?
We use standard, widely accepted formulas and calculate in your browser using double-precision arithmetic. Results are rounded for readability, so treat them as reliable estimates rather than a guarantee. Real-world factors can vary the true figure.
Can I add this calculator to my own website?
Yes. Open this calculator page and use the "Add to your website" box in the sidebar to copy a ready-made iframe snippet, then paste it into any HTML page.