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Roth IRA Calculator

See how much your Roth IRA could grow tax-free. Check your eligibility, contribution limits, and projected balance at retirement.

Updated March 2026 · Uses 2026 contribution limits & income phase-outs

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67
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2026 max: $7,500 (under 50) · $8,500 (50+) · $10,000 (60-63)

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Modified Adjusted Gross Income for eligibility check

Advanced Settings
7%
Eligible: Full contribution

At 67, your Roth IRA could be worth

$0

All $0 is tax-free in retirement

Your Contributions

$0

Investment Growth

$0

Projected Roth IRA Growth

Projected values are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual results will vary.

By Ryan England Last Updated:

How it works

How this Roth IRA calculator works

Monthly compounding

Your annual contribution is spread across 12 monthly deposits, with investment returns compounding each month. This models a disciplined monthly investment schedule rather than a single lump-sum deposit.

Real-time eligibility check

Enter your income and filing status, and the calculator instantly determines whether you qualify for full, partial, or no direct Roth IRA contributions. If you are in the phase-out range, it calculates your exact reduced limit.

2026 limits enforced

The calculator automatically applies 2026 IRS contribution limits ($7,500 under 50, $8,500 at 50+, $10,000 for ages 60-63). It also adjusts limits year by year as you age through catch-up eligibility thresholds.

Tax-free growth tracking

Unlike Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, every dollar in a Roth IRA is tax-free at withdrawal. The calculator highlights the full projected balance as tax-free, so you can see the true after-tax value of your Roth savings.

Eligibility

2026 Roth IRA income phase-out ranges

Filing Status Full Contribution Phase-Out Range No Contribution
Single / Head of Household Below $150,000 $150,000 – $165,000 Above $165,000
Married Filing Jointly Below $236,000 $236,000 – $246,000 Above $246,000
Married Filing Separately — $0 – $10,000 Above $10,000

Source: IRS Notice 2025-XX (projected). Phase-out reduces your allowed contribution proportionally. Contributions and earnings above the limit may be subject to a 6% excess contribution penalty.

Strategies

Ways to maximize your Roth IRA

Max it out every year

The Roth IRA limit is lower than a 401(k), making it easier to max out. Set up automatic monthly transfers of $625/month to hit the $7,500 annual limit without thinking about it.

Start as early as possible

Tax-free compounding is the Roth IRA's superpower. Starting at 25 vs. 35 with the same annual contribution can result in nearly double the balance at 67, because the early money has 10 extra years to compound tax-free.

Use the backdoor strategy

If your income exceeds the Roth IRA limit, contribute to a Traditional IRA and convert to Roth. This "backdoor" approach is legal and commonly used. Watch out for the pro-rata rule if you have existing pre-tax IRA money.

Choose growth investments

Since all Roth IRA growth is tax-free, it makes sense to hold your highest-growth investments here. Put tax-efficient index funds in taxable accounts and save the Roth space for assets with the highest expected returns.

Pair with your 401(k)

The best strategy for most people: contribute enough to your 401(k) to get the full employer match, then max out your Roth IRA, then go back and increase your 401(k). This captures free money and maximizes tax-free growth.

Use catch-up after 50

At 50, you can contribute an extra $1,000/year. At 60 through 63, the super catch-up bumps your limit to $10,000. These extra years of larger contributions can add tens of thousands in tax-free retirement income.

Reference

2026 Roth IRA contribution limits

Under 50

$7,500

Annual limit

Age 50-59, 64+

$8,500

+$1,000 catch-up

Age 60-63

$10,000

Super catch-up

Monthly to max

$625

$7,500 ÷ 12

Source: IRS Notice 2025-XX (projected). These limits apply to your total IRA contributions across all Traditional and Roth IRAs combined. Excess contributions above these limits are subject to a 6% penalty.

Keep going

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Common questions

What is the Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 Roth IRA contribution limit is $7,500 for those under 50. If you are 50 or older, you can contribute up to $8,500 ($1,000 catch-up). Workers aged 60 through 63 qualify for the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up and can contribute up to $10,000. These limits apply to your total IRA contributions across all Traditional and Roth IRAs combined.
What is the Roth IRA income limit for 2026?
For 2026, you can make full Roth IRA contributions if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below $150,000 (single/head of household) or $236,000 (married filing jointly). Partial contributions are allowed up to $165,000 (single) or $246,000 (MFJ). Above those limits, direct contributions are not allowed, but you may still use the backdoor Roth IRA strategy.
What is a backdoor Roth IRA?
A backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy for high earners who exceed the income limits for direct Roth IRA contributions. You contribute to a Traditional IRA (which has no income limit for contributions, only for deductibility), then convert those funds to a Roth IRA. The conversion is legal and recognized by the IRS. Be aware of the pro-rata rule if you have existing pre-tax IRA balances, which can create unexpected taxes on the conversion.
Are Roth IRA withdrawals really tax-free?
Yes, qualified Roth IRA withdrawals are completely tax-free and penalty-free. To qualify, you must be at least 59½ years old and the account must have been open for at least 5 years (the "5-year rule"). You can also withdraw your contributions (not earnings) at any time without tax or penalty, since you already paid tax on that money going in. This makes the Roth IRA one of the most flexible retirement accounts available.
Should I choose a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA?
The choice depends primarily on your current vs. future tax rate. A Roth IRA is generally better if you expect your tax rate to be higher in retirement (early career, expect income growth, or want tax-free withdrawals). A Traditional IRA is better if you are in a peak earning year and expect a lower rate in retirement. Other Roth advantages: no required minimum distributions (RMDs), tax-free inheritance for beneficiaries, and penalty-free access to contributions at any time.
How does the Roth IRA income phase-out work?
If your MAGI falls within the phase-out range ($150,000–$165,000 single, $236,000–$246,000 MFJ for 2026), your contribution limit is reduced proportionally. The IRS rounds the reduced limit down to the nearest $10, with a $200 minimum if any contribution is allowed. For example, a single filer earning $157,500 (halfway through the phase-out) would have their limit cut roughly in half. Our calculator shows your exact reduced limit based on your income.
Can I contribute to both a Roth IRA and a 401(k)?
Yes. Roth IRA and 401(k) contribution limits are completely separate. In 2026, you can contribute up to $7,500 to a Roth IRA and up to $24,500 to a 401(k), for a combined $32,000 in tax-advantaged retirement savings (before catch-up). The optimal strategy for most people: first contribute enough to your 401(k) to capture the full employer match, then max out your Roth IRA, then go back and increase your 401(k) contribution.
What is the Roth IRA 5-year rule?
The 5-year rule requires your Roth IRA to have been open for at least 5 tax years before you can take tax-free withdrawals of earnings. The clock starts January 1 of the year you make your first contribution. For example, if you open and fund a Roth IRA on December 31, 2026, the 5-year clock started January 1, 2026, and your earnings become qualified on January 1, 2031. Note: your original contributions can always be withdrawn tax-free and penalty-free regardless of the 5-year rule.