Free Roth IRA Calculator
How it works
Enter your current Roth IRA balance, what you add each year and your expected return — this calculator compounds your account to retirement age and splits the final number into what you put in versus what growth added, all of it potentially tax-free.
Roth IRA Calculator
Contributions in after tax, decades of growth out tax-free — see what that adds up to.
1 Your Roth IRA today
2 Timeline and growth
3 See your tax-free projection
🌴 Your Roth IRA projection
How the math works
The projection compounds your account once a year. Each year the balance first grows by the expected return, then your annual contribution is added at year-end:
New balance = balance × (1 + return) + annual contribution
Total contributions are the annual amount × years invested, and total growth is the projected value minus your starting balance and all contributions. Because a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money and qualified withdrawals are tax-free, that growth figure is the part you would keep entirely — unlike a traditional IRA or 401(k), where withdrawals are taxed.
Everyday uses
- Start-early proof: compare opening a Roth at 25 versus 35 with the same yearly contribution.
- Max-out planning: see what contributing the full $7,000 a year (the 2026 limit under 50) builds by 60 or 65.
- Roth vs. traditional: run the same numbers here and in a 401(k) projection to feel the value of tax-free growth.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026?
$7,000 for the year if you are under 50, and $8,000 if you are 50 or older (including the catch-up). You also need earned income at least equal to what you contribute, and high earners face income phase-outs — check irs.gov for the current thresholds.
When can I withdraw from a Roth IRA tax-free?
Contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn at any time without tax or penalty. Earnings come out tax-free once the account has been open five years and you are 59½ or older, with a few exceptions such as a first-home purchase.
Does this calculator account for inflation or fees?
No. It uses one steady assumed return, before fund fees, and shows future dollars at face value — their buying power will be lower than today’s dollars. Try a return 1–2 points lower for a deliberately conservative picture.