401k Calculator
Estimate 401k growth with salary contributions and employer match.
A 401(k) calculator projects your retirement account balance by combining your salary-based contribution percentage, your employer's matching contribution, and compound investment growth over the years remaining until retirement. Because employer matching is effectively free money added on top of your own contribution, this calculator separates your contribution from the match so you can see exactly how much the match itself is worth over time.
Enter your current salary, contribution percentage, employer match details, current balance, and years until retirement to project your total 401(k) balance.
Worked Calculation Examples
| Scenario | Result | Calculation Step |
|---|---|---|
| $70,000 salary, 6% employee contribution, 100%/3%+50%/next 2% match | $7,000 total annual contribution | Employee: $70,000 × 6% = $4,200. Match: 3% + 1% (50% of the next 2%) = 4% of salary = $2,800, capped by the match formula. Total = $4,200 + $2,800 = $7,000. |
| $50,000 salary, contributing exactly enough to capture the full match | $3,000 total annual contribution | Employee: $50,000 × 3% = $1,500. Match: 100% of that 3% = $1,500. Total = $3,000 - the employee's own money is effectively doubled by the match. |
How Employer Matching Actually Works
Employer 401(k) matches are typically structured as a percentage of your contribution up to a cap - a common structure is a 100% match on the first 3% of salary contributed, plus a 50% match on the next 2%, for a maximum employer contribution of 4% of salary. Contributing less than the amount needed to capture the full match effectively leaves free money on the table, since the match does not apply retroactively to contributions you did not make.
Pre-Tax Contributions and Your Take-Home Pay
Traditional 401(k) contributions are deducted from your paycheck before federal (and most state) income tax is calculated, which means contributing $200 per paycheck reduces your take-home pay by less than $200, since you are also avoiding tax on that money now. Taxes are instead paid later, when you withdraw the money in retirement - this is different from a Roth 401(k), where contributions are made with after-tax money but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
Contribution Limits and Catch-Up Contributions
The IRS sets an annual limit on how much you can contribute to a 401(k) from your own salary, which is adjusted periodically for inflation, and allows an additional catch-up contribution for workers age 50 and older. These limits apply to your own contributions only - employer matching contributions don't count against your personal contribution limit, though there is a separate, higher combined limit covering both.
How to Use the 401k Calculator
- Open the 401k Calculator and enter the values requested in the input fields.
- Check the units, percentages, dates, or time periods before reading the answer.
- Review the instant result and adjust any value to compare another scenario.
- Use the formula, example, and FAQs below to understand how the 401k calculator works.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will my 401k be worth at retirement with a company match?
It depends on your salary, contribution rate, match structure, years until retirement, and assumed rate of return - enter your specific numbers into the calculator for a personalized projection, but even a modest match can add tens of thousands of dollars over a multi-decade career.
What is a typical 401k employer match?
A common structure is a 100% match on the first 3% of salary you contribute, plus a 50% match on the next 2%, for a maximum match of 4% of salary - though matching structures vary significantly by employer.
Should I contribute enough to get the full employer match?
In most cases, yes - not doing so means leaving free money on the table, since the match typically does not apply retroactively to contributions you skip.
What is the difference between a traditional and Roth 401k?
Traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, lowering your taxable income now but taxed upon withdrawal in retirement. Roth 401(k) contributions are after-tax now, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
Is there a limit to how much I can contribute to a 401k?
Yes, the IRS sets an annual contribution limit that adjusts periodically for inflation, plus an additional catch-up contribution allowance for those age 50 and older. Check the current year's IRS limit for exact figures.
Does the employer match count toward my personal contribution limit?
No. Your personal contribution limit applies only to money deducted from your own paycheck - employer matching contributions are separate, though a higher combined limit covering both does exist.
Related Calculators
Retirement Calculator
Estimate total retirement nest egg savings, monthly income, and retirement readiness.
IRA Calculator
Project IRA retirement account growth over time.
Savings Calculator
Project savings growth with monthly deposits and interest.
Loan Calculator
Calculate monthly loan payments, interest charges, and loan payoff terms.
Mortgage Calculator
Estimate home mortgage payments including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.
Tip Calculator
Split restaurant bills and compute tip percentages per person easily.
Last updated: September 27, 2026.