401(k) Employer Match Calculator
Find out how much free money your employer 401(k) match adds. Enter your salary, contribution and the match formula to see the dollars — and whether you are leaving any on the table.
Where you land
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Learn moreEmployer match is free money
An employer 401(k) match is an immediate, guaranteed return — a 50%-up-to-6% formula pays you 50 cents per dollar on the first 6% of pay you contribute. Contributing at least enough to capture the full match is one of the highest-return moves in personal finance. The average promised match is about 4.6% of pay.
How it’s calculated & sources
Employer match = salary × min(your %, cap %) × match rate. If you contribute below the cap, you forfeit part of the match. Shown as a share of pay against the ~4.6% average.
Benchmark: average employer 401(k) match ~4.6% of pay (Vanguard, How America Saves 2024).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized advice. Verify with a professional.
Worked example
On $70,000 with a 50%-up-to-6% match, contributing 6% ($4,200) earns a $2,100 employer match — 3.0% of pay, and the full amount available.
Frequently asked questions
What does 50% up to 6% mean?
The employer adds 50 cents per dollar you contribute, but only on the first 6% of your salary. Contribute at least 6% to get all of it.
Does the match count toward my contribution limit?
No — employer contributions are separate from your employee elective-deferral limit.
Is the match always mine?
Your own contributions are always yours; the employer match may vest over a few years depending on the plan.