Introduction
A Roth IRA lets your money grow tax-free. You pay taxes on your income now, put money into the account, and never pay taxes on it again, not even when you take it out in retirement. Over time, this tax-free growth can add up to a lot of extra money compared to a regular taxable account thanks to the power of compound interest.
This Roth IRA calculator shows you how much your savings could grow by the time you retire. Enter your current balance, how much you plan to add each year, your expected rate of return, and your tax rate. The calculator then compares a Roth IRA to a taxable investment account side by side so you can see the difference. It uses the 2026 IRS contribution limits of $7,500 per year, or $8,600 if you are age 50 or older.1
You will get a year-by-year schedule, a growth chart, and a step-by-step breakdown of the math. You can also turn on inflation adjustment to see what your future savings would be worth in today's dollars. Use this tool to plan ahead and see how a Roth IRA can help you keep more of your money in retirement.
How to Use Our Roth IRA Calculator
Enter a few details about your savings, age, and goals. The calculator will show how much your Roth IRA could grow by retirement and how it compares to a regular taxable account.
Current Roth IRA Balance: Type the total amount of money you have in your Roth IRA right now. If you do not have one yet, enter $0.
Maximize Contributions: Turn this on if you want to contribute the most the IRS allows each year. The calculator will use the correct limit for your age, including the extra catch-up amount once you turn 50.
Annual Contribution: If you did not turn on the maximize option, type the dollar amount you plan to add to your Roth IRA each year.
Expected Annual Rate of Return: Use the slider or type a percentage for how much you expect your investments to grow each year. A common estimate for a mixed stock and bond portfolio is 6% to 7%.
Marginal Tax Rate: Pick your federal tax bracket from the dropdown or type in a custom rate. This is used to figure out how much taxes would cost you in a regular taxable account.
Current Age: Enter your age today. The calculator starts your contributions from this year.
Retirement Age: Enter the age when you plan to stop working and stop adding money. The calculator will project your growth up to this age.
Inflation Rate (Advanced): Click "Advanced Settings" to turn on inflation adjustment. This shows what your future money would be worth in today's dollars. The default rate is 3%.
What Is a Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA is a type of retirement savings account. You put money into it after you have already paid taxes on it. The big benefit is that your money grows tax-free. When you take it out in retirement, you pay no taxes on it at all, not even on the gains.
How This Roth IRA Calculator Works
This calculator shows you how much money your Roth IRA could grow to by the time you retire. You enter your current balance, how much you plan to add each year, your expected rate of return, and your age. It then projects your balance year by year until retirement.
It also compares your Roth IRA to a regular taxable investment account. In a taxable account, you pay taxes on your investment gains every year, including taxes on capital gains and dividends. Over time, those taxes add up and eat into your returns. The calculator shows you exactly how much more money you could end up with by using a Roth IRA instead.
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026
The IRS sets a cap on how much you can put into a Roth IRA each year. For 2026, the limit is $7,500 per year.1 If you are age 50 or older, you can contribute up to $8,600 per year.1 This extra $1,100 is called a catch-up contribution.2 The calculator can automatically apply these limits for you when you turn on the "Maximize Contributions" option. Note that your eligibility to contribute the full amount depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).
Why Tax-Free Growth Matters
When your investments earn money inside a Roth IRA, you keep all of it. In a taxable account, you lose a portion of your gains to taxes each year. This means less money stays invested, and less money compounds over time. The longer you invest, the bigger the gap between the two accounts becomes. Even a small tax drag each year can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over a few decades.
Who Can Open a Roth IRA?
You need earned income to contribute to a Roth IRA. This means money from a job or self-employment. There are also income limits. If you earn too much, you may not be able to contribute the full amount or at all. In that case, you might consider a Roth conversion from a traditional IRA instead. For most people with a regular income, a Roth IRA is one of the best tools to save for retirement.
When Can You Withdraw From a Roth IRA?
You can take out the money you contributed at any time with no penalty. However, to withdraw your earnings tax-free and penalty-free, you generally need to be at least 59½ years old and have had the account open for at least five years. If you withdraw earnings before that, you may owe taxes and a 10% penalty.