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💸 Roth IRA Calculator

Project the future value of a Roth IRA with regular annual contributions and compound growth. Enter your age, retirement age, contribution amount, expected return and starting balance.

Current Age

Retirement Age

Annual Contribution ($)

Expected Annual Return (%)

Starting Balance ($)

What is this tool?

A Roth IRA is a tax-advantaged individual retirement account available in the United States that lets your savings grow completely tax-free. Unlike a traditional IRA or 401(k), you contribute after-tax dollars — meaning you have already paid income tax on the money — but all investment growth and qualified withdrawals in retirement are entirely free from federal (and typically state) income tax. To take qualified tax-free withdrawals you must be at least 59½ years old and the account must have been open for at least five years (the "five-year rule"). Because contributions are made with after-tax money, they are not deductible in the year you make them, but the long-term payoff can be enormous, especially if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket during retirement. For 2026 the regular contribution limit is $7,000 per year, and savers aged 50 and older can add a $1,000 catch-up contribution for a total of $8,000. The future value of a Roth IRA is driven by two forces: the initial balance growing through compound interest, and each annual contribution compounding for the years remaining until retirement. The formula used is FV = P₀ × (1+r)^n + Σ C × (1+r)^(n−k) for each contribution year k, where P₀ is the starting balance, C is the annual contribution, r is the expected annual return and n is the number of years until retirement. This Roth IRA calculator applies that formula and shows you both the total amount you will have contributed and the total investment growth, so you can see how much of your nest egg comes from your own savings versus market returns. For a broader retirement picture, pair it with our retirement calculator, and to compare an employer-sponsored plan, see the 401(k) calculator. The compound interest calculator breaks down the math in more detail, while the investment calculator and annuity calculator cover other retirement income sources.

How it works

The calculator takes five inputs — current age, retirement age, annual contribution amount, expected annual return, and starting balance — then projects year-by-year growth using the compound interest formula. Each annual contribution compounds from the year it is made until retirement. The starting balance compounds for the full period. The total future value is the sum of the grown initial balance plus the grown value of every contribution. The reference table below shows how a $7,000 annual contribution at different assumed rates of return grows over a 30-year horizon, assuming no starting balance: | Annual Return | Years | Total Contributed | Projected Value | Growth | |---|---|---|---|---| | 4% | 30 | $210,000 | $392,595 | $182,595 | | 6% | 30 | $210,000 | $553,407 | $343,407 | | 8% | 30 | $210,000 | $792,982 | $582,982 | | 10% | 30 | $210,000 | $1,151,458 | $941,458 | The table illustrates the dramatic effect of compounding: doubling the return from 5% to 10% more than doubles the ending balance, because each year's gains build on a larger base.

How to use

Enter your current age and target retirement age.
Enter your planned annual contribution (2026 limit: $7,000, or $8,000 if 50+).
Enter your expected average annual return (e.g. 7 for 7%).
Enter any existing Roth IRA balance you already have.
Click Calculate to see your projected retirement balance, total contributions and investment growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 2026 Roth IRA contribution limits?

For 2026 the regular contribution limit is $7,000 per year if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below the phase-out range. Savers aged 50 and older can add a $1,000 catch-up contribution, for a total of $8,000. Income phase-outs for 2026 begin at $153,000 (single) and $228,000 (married filing jointly); above certain upper limits you cannot contribute directly.

When can I withdraw from my Roth IRA tax-free?

Qualified withdrawals — those taken after age 59½ and after the account has been open for at least five tax years — are completely tax-free. You can always withdraw your own contributions (not earnings) at any time without tax or penalty, because you already paid tax on that money. Earnings, however, must meet the qualified-withdrawal rules to avoid tax and the 10% early-distribution penalty.

Are Roth IRA contributions tax-deductible?

No. Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are not deductible on your federal tax return. The trade-off is that all growth and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. This contrasts with traditional IRA contributions, which may be deductible but are taxed upon withdrawal.

What is the Roth IRA five-year rule?

The five-year rule requires that your Roth IRA be open for at least five tax years before you can take qualified tax-free withdrawals of earnings. The clock starts on January 1 of the tax year of your first contribution. Even if you are over 59½, withdrawing earnings before the five-year period is met triggers income tax and possibly the 10% penalty.

Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if my income is too high?

Direct contributions are restricted or prohibited above certain MAGI limits, but high earners can use the "backdoor Roth" strategy: contribute to a traditional (non-deductible) IRA and then convert it to a Roth IRA. This strategy has important tax considerations, especially if you have other pre-tax IRA balances, so consult a tax advisor before attempting it.

How is this calculator different from a traditional IRA or 401(k) calculator?

This Roth IRA calculator assumes after-tax contributions, no annual tax drag on growth, and tax-free withdrawals — the opposite assumptions of a traditional pre-tax account. A 401(k) calculator, by contrast, typically models pre-tax contributions and taxable withdrawals, often with an employer match. The underlying growth math is similar, but the tax treatment of inputs and outputs differs significantly.

Does the calculator account for inflation?

No, the calculator shows nominal (not inflation-adjusted) future values. A $1 million balance in 30 years will have less purchasing power than $1 million today. To estimate real purchasing power, either reduce your assumed return by roughly 2–3% per year (a typical long-term inflation rate) or use a separate inflation-adjusted retirement model.

Disclaimer: This Roth IRA calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, investment or financial advice. Contribution limits, income thresholds and tax rules change over time. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor before making retirement planning decisions.

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation.

Tips & Advice

Contribute as early in the year as possible — money invested in January has nearly twelve extra months of compounding compared to a December deposit, which over a 30-year horizon can add thousands of dollars. If you are 50 or older, take advantage of the $1,000 catch-up contribution to accelerate your savings in your peak earning years. Remember that Roth IRA eligibility depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI); for 2026, single filers with MAGI above $153,000 and married couples filing jointly above $228,000 face reduced contribution limits or are ineligible entirely. Unlike a traditional IRA, a Roth does not require minimum distributions (RMDs) during your lifetime, so the account can keep growing tax-free even in retirement and be passed to heirs. Diversifying your retirement savings across a 401(k), traditional IRA and Roth IRA gives you "tax diversification" — the flexibility to withdraw from different buckets depending on your tax situation each year. The projected returns in this calculator are assumptions, not guarantees; stock-market returns vary widely year to year. Use conservative estimates for planning, and revisit your assumptions annually as retirement approaches.

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