401(k) Calculator
Last updated: June 2026 · Free · No sign-up required
Enter values above and click Calculate to see your result instantly.
Quick reference
2026 IRS 401(k) contribution limits:
| Limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral (under 50) | $24,500 |
| Catch-up (age 50+) | +$8,000 |
| Catch-up (age 60–63) | +$11,250 |
| Total employee + employer | $72,000 |
savings Plan with confidence
Finance decisions get a lot easier when you can see the full picture. Enter your numbers above to see total payments, interest paid, and the long-term cost of every choice — so you can compare options side by side before signing anything.
percent How the math works
We use the standard amortization, compound-interest and present-value formulas published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Reserve. The methodology block below shows every variable and rounding step we apply, so the answer is never a black box.
shield_lock Your data stays private
Every calculation happens in your browser with JavaScript — your income, balances, and loan numbers are never sent to our servers, logged, or shared. Close the tab and the inputs vanish. No sign-up, no tracking pixels on the form, no spreadsheet emailed to you later.
lightbulb Pro tip
Save the URL after you calculate — your inputs aren't stored, so write down the headline number plus the breakdown. Then come back and edit one variable at a time (down payment, rate, term) to see exactly which lever moves your monthly figure the most. That's where the real planning happens.
Interpretation guide
Levers that grow your 401(k):
| Lever | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Employer match | Free money — always contribute enough to get the full match |
| Start early | Decades of compounding beat a larger late contribution |
| Contribution rate | Each 1% adds up substantially over a career |
| Fees & allocation | Lower fees and a growth mix raise the long-run balance |
Formula & methodology
Formula: FV = PMT x (((1 + r)^n - 1) / r), with PMT = annual contribution + match
The projection compounds your annual contributions plus any employer match at an assumed return, year by year, to retirement age. Because gains are reinvested, the balance grows exponentially — money added in your 20s does far more work than money added in your 50s. Always capture the full employer match first; it's an immediate return no investment can match.
Authoritative source: U.S. Department of Labor