Estimate how your Roth IRA will grow over time with compound interest. See your projected tax-free balance, total contributions, investment growth, and estimated monthly retirement income — all completely tax-free.
$
What you have saved so far
$
How much you add each month
%
Long-term average ~7% for S&P 500
years
How many years of growth
years
Used to show age milestones
%
Your current federal tax rate
✓Your Results
Projected Roth IRA Balance
$691,150
Tax-free at age 65
Your Contributions
$190,000
$500/month
Investment Growth
$501,150
At 7% annual return
Tax-Free Monthly Income
$2,304
4% withdrawal rule — tax-free!
Roth Advantage vs Traditional
$152,053
In 22% tax bracket — you keep more
Annual Contribution
$6,000
2026 limit: $7,500 ($8,600 if 50+)
⚖️ Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA — After-Tax Comparison
Enter your current Roth IRA balance, monthly contribution, expected annual return, years until retirement, and tax bracket. The calculator shows your projected balance, total contributions, investment growth, and a Roth vs Traditional comparison.
The Roth IRA is unique because contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but all withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free — including all the growth!
Roth IRA Formula & Methodology
Future Value = P × (1 + r)^n + PMT × [((1 + r)^n − 1) / r]
Where P = current balance, PMT = monthly contribution, r = monthly return rate, n = months. The Roth advantage is calculated by comparing after-tax withdrawals from a Roth IRA (tax-free) vs a Traditional IRA (taxed at your current rate).
2026 Roth IRA Contribution Limits
Under 50: $7,500/year
Age 50+: $8,600/year (includes $1,100 catch-up)
Income limits for direct contributions: Single MAGI under $168,000 (phase-out starts at $153,000), Married filing jointly under $252,000 (phase-out starts at $242,000)
Backdoor Roth IRA strategy available for high earners — contribute to Traditional IRA then convert to Roth
Why a Roth IRA is Powerful
Tax-free growth: All investment gains grow tax-free — no capital gains tax, no dividend tax, no tax on withdrawals
Tax-free withdrawals: In retirement, every dollar you withdraw is completely tax-free
No RMDs: Unlike Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs have no Required Minimum Distributions
Flexibility: You can withdraw contributions (not earnings) at any time without penalty
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA: Which is Better?
Roth IRA is better if: You expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, you want tax-free income, you want to avoid RMDs, or you're early in your career (lower tax bracket now).
Traditional IRA is better if: You need the tax deduction now (higher current tax bracket), you expect lower income in retirement, or you need to reduce your AGI for other tax benefits.
Disclaimer: This tool is for estimation purposes only. We are not certified financial advisors, CPAs, or legal experts. Please consult a professional before making financial decisions.
About This Calculator
Project your Roth IRA growth with compound interest and tax-free withdrawals. Free 2026 Roth IRA calculator with contribution limits and income thresholds. Use our free Roth IRA Growth Calculator 2026 to run accurate estimates instantly — no sign-up, no downloads, and no personal data stored.
A Roth IRA is a retirement account where you contribute after-tax dollars and all future growth and withdrawals are completely tax-free. Unlike a Traditional IRA, you get no upfront tax deduction, but your money grows tax-free for decades and you pay zero tax when you withdraw in retirement. For young investors and those expecting to be in a higher tax bracket later, the Roth IRA is one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available.
The 2026 Roth IRA contribution limit is $7,500 per year ($8,600 if you are age 50 or older). However, your ability to contribute directly depends on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Single filers can contribute the full amount if MAGI is under $153,000, with a phase-out up to $168,000. Married filing jointly, the range is $242,000 to $252,000. Above these limits, you cannot contribute directly but can use the backdoor Roth strategy.
The power of the Roth IRA is tax-free compound growth. Contributing $7,500 per year starting at age 25 with an average 8% annual return produces roughly $2.0 million by age 65 — all tax-free. The same investment in a taxable account at a 15% capital gains rate would yield about $1.6 million after taxes. That is a $400,000 difference purely from tax-free compounding.
Roth IRAs also offer flexibility that other retirement accounts lack. You can withdraw your contributions (not earnings) at any time without taxes or penalties. There are no Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) during your lifetime, so you can let the money grow indefinitely. And Roth IRAs can be inherited tax-free by your beneficiaries, making them excellent estate planning tools.
Formula
Future Value = P × [(1 + r)^n − 1] / r × (1 + r)
Where:
P = Annual contribution ($7,500 or $8,600 if 50+)
r = Expected annual return (e.g., 0.08 for 8%)
n = Number of years until retirement
Tax Savings vs Taxable Account:
Roth: Withdraw 100% tax-free
Taxable: Owe 15%–20% capital gains on growth
2026 Roth IRA Income Limits
Filing Status
Full Contribution
Phase-Out Range
No Contribution
Single / Head of Household
MAGI < $153,000
$153,000 – $168,000
MAGI > $168,000
Married Filing Jointly
MAGI < $242,000
$242,000 – $252,000
MAGI > $252,000
Married Filing Separately
—
$0 – $10,000
MAGI > $10,000
How to Use the Roth IRA Growth Calculator 2026
Enter your current age and target retirement age to set the growth timeline.
Enter your current Roth IRA balance (or $0 if starting fresh) and annual contribution amount.
Select your expected annual return rate — historically, the S&P 500 has averaged about 10% nominal (7%–8% inflation-adjusted).
Review the projection: total contributions, total growth, and estimated tax savings versus a taxable brokerage account. The year-by-year table shows how compounding accelerates over time.
All calculations run locally in your browser for privacy and speed. Results are estimates for planning purposes — consult a qualified tax professional, financial advisor, or accountant for advice specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Roth IRA contribution limit in 2026?
The 2026 Roth IRA contribution limit is $7,500 per year, or $8,600 if you are age 50 or older (the extra $1,100 is the catch-up contribution). These limits apply across all your IRAs combined — if you have both a Traditional and Roth IRA, the total across both cannot exceed $7,500/$8,600.
Are Roth IRA withdrawals really tax-free?
Yes, if you meet two conditions: your Roth IRA has been open for at least 5 years, and you are age 59½ or older. Qualified withdrawals of both contributions and earnings are completely federal-tax-free. You can always withdraw your contributions (not earnings) at any age without taxes or penalties since you already paid tax on that money.
Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if I have a 401(k)?
Yes. Having a 401(k) does not prevent you from contributing to a Roth IRA. The two accounts have separate contribution limits ($24,500 for 401k, $7,500 for Roth IRA in 2026). However, your Roth IRA contribution may be limited or eliminated if your MAGI exceeds the income thresholds ($153,000–$168,000 single, $242,000–$252,000 married filing jointly).
What is the backdoor Roth IRA strategy?
The backdoor Roth is a legal strategy for high earners who exceed Roth IRA income limits. You contribute to a Traditional IRA (non-deductible) and then immediately convert it to a Roth IRA. There is no income limit on conversions. The main complication is the pro-rata rule: if you have existing pre-tax IRA balances, part of the conversion will be taxable. Rolling pre-tax IRA money into a 401(k) before converting avoids this.
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA — which is better?
Choose Roth if you expect your tax rate to be higher in retirement (younger workers, lower current income, tax rates likely to rise). Choose Traditional if you need the upfront tax deduction now (higher current tax bracket, expect lower income in retirement). A common strategy is to contribute to both: max out a Roth IRA for tax-free growth and use a Traditional 401(k) for the upfront deduction.
What happens to a Roth IRA when you die?
Roth IRAs pass to beneficiaries tax-free. A surviving spouse can treat the inherited Roth as their own with no RMDs. Non-spouse beneficiaries must withdraw the full balance within 10 years under the SECURE Act, but all withdrawals are still tax-free. This makes Roth IRAs excellent estate planning vehicles — your heirs receive decades of growth with zero tax.
Related Guide
Free Roth IRA growth calculator for 2026. Learn how compound interest grows your Roth IRA tax-free, contribution limits,... Read the Full Guide
Free to use on your blog or website. Copy the snippet below — it adds the live Roth IRA Growth Calculator 2026 plus a small credit link. No sign-up required.
Last updated: June 2026 · TheMetricApp provides free financial calculators for US and UK taxpayers, freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners.
