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Roth IRA Calculator

Updated June 2026 · By the NumberBench editorial team · How we calculate

Project your Roth IRA’s tax-free balance at retirement — and see whether your contribution is on pace to max the 2026 IRS limit.

$
$
yrs
yrs
%
Balance at retirement (tax-free)—
Total you contribute—
Total growth—
Years invested—

Projected Roth IRA balance

How you compare

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Tax-free growth, if you feed it

A Roth IRA grows tax-free and comes out tax-free in retirement, which makes consistent contributions powerful over decades. The single biggest lever most people control is whether they actually hit the annual limit — $7,000 in 2026 (or $8,000 at 50+). This projects your balance with monthly compounding and flags how close your contribution is to the max.

How it’s calculated

Balance compounds monthly: future value = current balance grown at the monthly return, plus monthly contributions grown over the remaining months to your retirement age.

Results update as you type and are estimates, not professional advice — verify important decisions with a qualified professional.

Worked example

A 35-year-old with $10,000 saved, adding $7,000/yr at 7% until 65, reaches about $793,000 — roughly $210,000 contributed and the rest tax-free growth.

Common mistakes

  • Contributing below the limit and missing years you can never get back.
  • Assuming a high, steady return and ignoring fees.
  • Forgetting income phase-outs that can reduce the limit for high earners.

Where it is used

  • Projecting a tax-free retirement balance.
  • Checking whether you’re maxing the annual limit.
  • Comparing Roth vs other retirement savings.

Frequently asked questions

What's the 2026 Roth IRA contribution limit?

$7,000 if you're under 50, and $8,000 if you're 50 or older (a $1,000 catch-up). High earners may face reduced limits based on income.

Is the growth really tax-free?

Qualified Roth withdrawals in retirement are federal-tax-free, because you contribute after-tax dollars. This projection shows that pre-tax-free balance; it doesn't model income phase-outs.

What return should I assume?

Be conservative and long-term. Many people model 6–7% as a long-run average; markets vary year to year and this ignores fees.