Roth IRA Calculator
Estimate your tax-free Roth IRA balance at retirement from your annual contributions and expected return, with a growth chart showing contributions vs tax-free growth.
Understanding the Roth IRA Calculator
This calculator projects how a Roth IRA could grow over time and estimates the tax-free balance available in retirement. A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, so qualified withdrawals of both contributions and earnings are generally tax-free after age 59 and a half and a five-year holding period. It is built for U.S. savers comparing what regular annual contributions, time, and compound growth might produce. Results are educational estimates, not personalized advice or a guarantee of future returns.
How it works
You enter your current age, retirement age, starting balance, annual contribution, and an assumed average annual return. The tool compounds the balance each year, adding your contribution and applying growth, until your retirement age. Because Roth contributions are made with money you have already paid tax on, the projected ending balance is shown as tax-free for qualified distributions, so no future tax is deducted. Compare this with a traditional IRA, where withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Read the result as a rough trajectory: real returns vary year to year, and inflation reduces future purchasing power.
Worked example
Suppose you are 30, retire at 65 (35 years), start with $5,000, contribute $7,000 a year, and assume a 7% average annual return. The starting balance grows to about $53,400, and the contributions grow to roughly $967,000, for an estimated tax-free total near $1,020,000. For 2026 the IRS contribution limit is $7,500 (under 50), so a slightly higher contribution would push the projection above this figure.
Tips & common mistakes
- For 2026, the contribution cap is $7,500 if under 50 and $8,600 if 50 or older; do not assume you can contribute more.
- Roth eligibility phases out by income; for 2026 single filers phase out between $153,000 and $168,000 MAGI, and married filing jointly between $242,000 and $252,000.
- Returns are assumptions, not promises; try 5%, 7%, and 9% to see a realistic range instead of one optimistic number.
- Qualified tax-free withdrawals require age 59 and a half plus a five-year holding period; early earnings withdrawals can be taxed and penalized.
- The projection ignores inflation; a million dollars in 35 years buys far less than today, so consider real (inflation-adjusted) returns too.
Sources & methodology
- • IRS — IRA contribution and Roth income limits for 2026 (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500)
- • IRS — Roth IRAs overview and qualified distribution rules (https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/roth-iras)
Related tools
Reviewed by the TopOpenTools editorial team · Last updated June 2026. These tools provide general estimates for educational purposes only and are not financial, tax, insurance, investment, or medical advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Roth IRA special?
You contribute after-tax money, and qualified withdrawals in retirement — including all the growth — are completely tax-free. That makes it powerful for long-term, tax-free compounding.
What is the contribution limit?
Limits are set by the IRS each year (with extra "catch-up" room for those 50+) and phase out at higher incomes. Enter an amount within your limit. Check the current IRS figures before contributing.
Is the growth really tax-free?
Yes, if you follow the rules (account open 5+ years and age 59½+ for earnings). This is a simplified estimate, not tax advice.