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Roth IRA Calculator

Estimate your Roth IRA balance at retirement, and see your contributions and tax-free growth.

Results

ItemValue

Balance over time

AgeTotal put inBalance

Quick Answer

A Roth IRA balance grows from your starting balance and yearly contributions. For example, starting at age 30 with $5,000 and adding $7,000 a year at a 7% return would reach about $1,021,041 by age 65. For 2026, the contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older.

Last updated: 2 November 2026 ·How we calculate this: future value formula and IRS 2026 limits

Table of Contents

How This Roth IRA Calculator Works

A Roth IRA is a US retirement account funded with after-tax money. Qualified withdrawals can be tax-free. This calculator estimates how your balance could grow by retirement, using your current balance, yearly contribution and expected return.

Quick explanation: Future balance = growth on your current balance + growth on your yearly contributions.

  • Contributions: added at the end of each year in this estimate.
  • Return: a steady yearly rate. Real returns go up and down.
  • Limit check: you see a warning if you enter more than the 2026 limit for your age.

How to Use the Roth IRA Calculator

  1. Enter your current age and the age you plan to retire.
  2. Enter what is already in your Roth IRA, or 0 if you are opening one.
  3. Enter how much you plan to add each year. The 2026 limit is $7,500, or $8,600 at age 50 or older.
  4. Enter a yearly return you think is realistic, then press Calculate.
  5. Check the balance-over-time table and any warning about the contribution limit.

Core Formulas

  • Future value: FV = B × (1 + r) ^ n + C × ((1 + r) ^ n − 1) ÷ r
  • With a 0% return: FV = B + C × n

B is your current balance, C is your yearly contribution, r is the yearly return as a decimal, and n is the number of years.

2026 ruleAmount
Contribution limit, under age 50$7,500
Contribution limit, age 50 or older$8,600
Phase-out, single or head of household$153,000 to $168,000
Phase-out, married filing jointly$242,000 to $252,000
Phase-out, married filing separately and lived with spouse$0 to $10,000

Worked Example

You are 30, have $5,000 in a Roth IRA, add $7,000 a year, and expect a 7% yearly return until age 65.

  • Years of saving = 35
  • Total put in = $5,000 + (35 × $7,000) = $250,000
  • Estimated balance = $1,021,041.06

Real-Life Examples

  • Starting at 25 or 35: $7,000 a year at 7% from age 25 to 65 could reach about $1,397,446. Starting at 35 gives about $661,226, even though you put in only $70,000 less.
  • Catching up after 50: adding the $8,600 limit each year from 50 to 65 at 6% could build about $200,173.
  • A spousal IRA: a married couple filing jointly can often fund a Roth IRA for a spouse with little or no income, using the working spouse’s earnings. Run the calculator once for each person.

Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA

  • Tax now or later: Roth contributions are made with after-tax money. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible now, but withdrawals are taxed later.
  • Withdrawals: qualified Roth withdrawals are tax-free. You can also take out your own Roth contributions at any time without tax or penalty.
  • Required withdrawals: a Roth IRA has no required minimum distributions for the original owner. A traditional IRA does.
  • Rule of thumb: a Roth often suits people who expect a higher tax rate in retirement than today.

Roth IRA Balance at 65 by Starting Age

$7,000 a year at a 7% yearly return, with no starting balance. Estimates only.

Start ageTotal put inBalance at 65
25$280,000$1,397,446
30$245,000$967,658
35$210,000$661,226
40$175,000$442,743
45$140,000$286,968
50$105,000$175,903

What Can Change Your Result

  • Returns: investment returns are not guaranteed, and you can lose money.
  • Income: your modified adjusted gross income can reduce or stop what you may contribute.
  • Inflation: the future balance will buy less than the same amount today.
  • Limits: the IRS changes limits over time, and the limit covers your traditional and Roth IRAs together.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Putting in more than the limit. Excess contributions face a 6% tax for each year they stay in the account.
  • Ignoring the income limits. Check your modified adjusted gross income before you contribute.
  • Taking out earnings early. Earnings withdrawn before a qualified distribution can face tax and a 10% penalty.
  • Leaving money in cash. Money in the account only grows if it is invested.
  • Missing the deadline. You can usually contribute for a tax year until the filing deadline, often April 15 of the next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can contribute up to $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older. You cannot contribute more than your taxable compensation for the year.

Contributions phase out between $153,000 and $168,000 for single filers, and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Qualified withdrawals are generally tax-free. Rules on age and how long the account has been open apply, so check IRS guidance for your situation.

Use a rate you consider realistic for your investments. Testing a few rates shows how much the result can change.

Yes, if you qualify. Try our 401(k) Contribution Calculator to plan both.

You can withdraw your own contributions at any time without tax or penalty. Earnings follow stricter age and five-year rules.

For earnings to come out tax-free, your first Roth IRA contribution must be at least five tax years old, and you usually must be 59½ or older.

You can usually make contributions for a year until the federal tax filing deadline of the following year.

References & Sources

SourceUsed ForLink
IRS, IRA contribution limits 2026 contribution limits. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits
IRS Notice 2025-67 2026 Roth IRA income phase-out ranges. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-67.pdf
IRS newsroom, 2026 limit increases Summary of 2026 retirement limits. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500