How Much Should I Contribute to My HSA?
Cover your deductible first, then decide how close to the IRS limit you can get. Enter your coverage and pay schedule.
Short answer: contribute at least enough to cover your plan’s deductible. If you can afford more, the 2026 IRS limit is $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for a family, plus $1,000 more if you are 55 or older. Maxing out self-only coverage costs $169 per paycheck if you are paid every two weeks; family coverage costs $337. Employer contributions count against your limit.
Limits: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-19 (2026 inflation-adjusted HSA amounts). Per-paycheck figures from the calculator below.
2026 HSA limits
The IRS sets these each year. For 2026 the contribution limit is $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, plus $1,000 if you are 55 or older.
| Self-only | Family | |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution limit | $4,400 | $8,750 |
| Catch-up, age 55+ | +$1,000 | +$1,000 |
| Minimum HDHP deductible | $1,700 | $3,400 |
| Maximum HDHP out-of-pocket | $8,500 | $17,000 |
Source: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-19, which sets the 2026 inflation-adjusted HSA amounts. The $1,000 catch-up is fixed in statute and is not inflation-adjusted. Your limit is reduced by anything your employer contributes.
What maxing out costs per paycheck
| Pay frequency | Paychecks / yr | Self-only | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | $85 | $168 |
| Every 2 weeks | 26 | $169 | $337 |
| Twice a month | 24 | $183 | $365 |
| Monthly | 12 | $367 | $729 |
Assumes no employer contribution. Enter yours above and the calculator subtracts it.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute to my HSA?
At minimum, contribute enough to cover your plan's deductible, since that is the amount you could owe before insurance pays. If you can afford more, the 2026 IRS limit is $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, plus a $1,000 catch-up if you are 55 or older. Contributions are pre-tax, grow tax-free, and are tax-free when spent on qualified medical expenses.
What is the 2026 HSA contribution limit?
$4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, set by IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-19. Anyone 55 or older may add a $1,000 catch-up contribution. Employer contributions count toward these limits.
Do employer contributions count toward the HSA limit?
Yes. Anything your employer puts in counts against your annual limit, so if your employer contributes $500 to a self-only account, you may contribute $3,900 in 2026.
What qualifies as a high-deductible health plan in 2026?
For 2026 an HDHP must have a deductible of at least $1,700 for self-only coverage or $3,400 for family coverage, and out-of-pocket maximums no higher than $8,500 self-only or $17,000 family. You must be covered by an HDHP to contribute to an HSA.