Roth IRA Calculator
See how much your Roth IRA could grow by retirement, all of it tax-free. Enter your age, balance and yearly contribution, and the calculator also checks how much you are allowed to contribute in 2026 based on your income and filing status, and compares the result with the same savings in a taxable account.
Assumes contributions at the end of each year and a steady return. See your whole retirement picture with the retirement calculator.
How the Roth IRA calculator works
A Roth IRA is a retirement account you fund with money you have already paid tax on. In return, the growth is never taxed: once you are 59½ and the account has been open five years, every dollar you take out is tax-free. The calculator grows your balance with compound interest:
Example: you are 30, have $10,000 in a Roth IRA and add the full $7,500 every year until 65. At a 7% average return, you would have about $1,143,542. You put in $272,500 in total, so roughly $871,042 is tax-free growth. In a taxable account where gains are taxed at 15% each year, the same savings would grow to noticeably less, and the calculator shows the gap.
The calculator also applies the IRS income rules. If your income is in the phase-out range, it reduces your allowed contribution using the IRS formula, rounds it up to the nearest $10 and applies the $200 minimum.
2026 Roth IRA contribution and income limits
| Rule | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution limit | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| Catch-up, age 50 and older | $1,100 (total $8,600) | $1,000 (total $8,000) |
| Full contribution, single or head of household | MAGI under $153,000 | Under $150,000 |
| Phase-out, single or head of household | $153,000 to $168,000 | $150,000 to $165,000 |
| Full contribution, married filing jointly | MAGI under $242,000 | Under $236,000 |
| Phase-out, married filing jointly | $242,000 to $252,000 | $236,000 to $246,000 |
| Phase-out, married filing separately | $0 to $10,000 | $0 to $10,000 |
The limit is for all your IRAs together. If you put $3,000 in a traditional IRA, you can add only $4,500 to a Roth IRA for 2026. You also need earned income at least equal to what you contribute, although a working spouse can fund a spousal Roth IRA for a non-working spouse. Above the income limits, many people use a backdoor Roth: a nondeductible traditional IRA contribution converted to a Roth. Talk to a tax professional first, because existing pre-tax IRA balances can make part of the conversion taxable.
How much a Roth IRA can grow
Estimated balance with no starting balance and a 7% average yearly return:
| Monthly saving | 10 years | 20 years | 30 years | 40 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $16,580 | $49,195 | $113,353 | $239,562 |
| $200/mo | $33,159 | $98,389 | $226,706 | $479,124 |
| $300/mo | $49,739 | $147,584 | $340,059 | $718,686 |
| $400/mo | $66,319 | $196,778 | $453,412 | $958,249 |
| $625/mo | $103,623 | $307,466 | $708,456 | $1,497,263 |
$625 a month is exactly the 2026 maximum of $7,500 a year. Starting ten years earlier roughly doubles the result, which is why a Roth IRA is so powerful in your 20s and 30s. To test other rates and time frames, use the compound interest calculator.
Roth IRA withdrawal rules
- Contributions come out first and can be withdrawn at any time, tax-free and penalty-free.
- Earnings are tax-free after age 59½, as long as your first Roth IRA was opened at least five tax years earlier.
- Early withdrawals of earnings are usually taxed plus a 10% penalty. Exceptions include up to $10,000 for a first home, disability and some education costs.
- No required minimum distributions for the original owner, unlike a traditional IRA or most 401(k)s. Heirs do face rules, which our inherited IRA RMD calculator covers.
Roth IRA, 401(k) or both?
If your employer offers a 401(k) match, contribute enough to get the full match first. That is an instant return no IRA can beat. After that, a Roth IRA is often the next best place for savings because of its tax-free growth and flexible access to contributions. Once the Roth IRA is maxed out, go back to the 401(k). See your workplace plan with the 401(k) calculator, and check your current tax bracket with the 2026 tax calculator to decide between Roth and pre-tax savings. For the full comparison with real numbers, read Roth or traditional IRA in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I put in a Roth IRA in 2026?
The 2026 limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older, thanks to a $1,100 catch-up contribution. The limit is shared across all your IRAs, so $7,500 total across Roth and traditional IRAs, and you cannot contribute more than your taxable compensation for the year.
What are the Roth IRA income limits for 2026?
You can make a full contribution if your modified adjusted gross income is under $153,000 as a single or head of household filer, or under $242,000 if married filing jointly. The amount phases out until $168,000 for singles and $252,000 for joint filers. Married filing separately phases out between $0 and $10,000 if you lived with your spouse.
How much will my Roth IRA be worth in 30 years?
If you contribute $7,500 a year for 30 years and earn an average 7% a year, you would have about $708,000, all of it tax-free in retirement. You would have put in $225,000, and the other $483,000 is growth. Returns are not guaranteed, so treat this as an estimate.
Can I withdraw money from a Roth IRA before retirement?
You can take out your contributions at any time, tax-free and penalty-free. Earnings are tax-free and penalty-free only after age 59½ and once your first Roth IRA has been open at least five years. Taking earnings out early usually means income tax plus a 10% penalty, with some exceptions such as up to $10,000 for a first home.
What is the deadline for 2026 Roth IRA contributions?
You can contribute for 2026 until the tax filing deadline in April 2027, usually April 15. Contributions made between January 1 and the deadline can be assigned to either year, so tell your brokerage which year you mean.
Is a Roth IRA better than a traditional IRA?
A Roth IRA tends to win if you expect to be in the same or a higher tax bracket in retirement, because you pay tax now and withdraw tax-free later. A traditional IRA tends to win if your tax rate will be lower in retirement. Many people split their savings between both to keep their options open.
This calculator gives estimates for education only and is not tax or investment advice. Investment returns are not guaranteed and can be negative. Contribution and income limits are from the IRS announcement of 2026 retirement plan limits (Notice 2025-67) and IRS Roth IRA contribution rules.