Calculator Comparison

401(k) Calculator vs Roth IRA Calculator

Not sure which calculator to use? Here's a side-by-side comparison of the 401(k) Calculator and Roth IRA Calculator to help you pick the right one for your needs.

401(k) Calculator

Investment & Retirement

Project your 401(k) balance at retirement including employer matching, contribution limits, and investment growth.

What you enter

Current Age
Retirement Age
Current 401(k) Balance
Annual Salary
Your Contribution (%)
Employer Match (%)
Match Up To (% of salary)
Expected Annual Return

What you get

Projected 401(k) Balance(primary)
Your Total Contributions
Employer Match Total
Investment Growth

Includes visual area chart breakdown

Use 401(k) Calculator

Roth IRA Calculator

Investment & Retirement

Project the growth of your Roth IRA contributions over time and see how tax-free compounding builds your retirement wealth.

What you enter

Current Age
Retirement Age
Current Roth IRA Balance
Annual Contribution
Expected Annual Return

What you get

Projected Roth IRA Balance(primary)
Total Contributions
Tax-Free Growth
Estimated Tax Savings

Includes visual area chart breakdown

Use Roth IRA Calculator

Key Differences

Feature	401(k) Calculator	Roth IRA Calculator
Category	Investment & Retirement	Investment & Retirement
Inputs	8 required fields	5 required fields
Outputs	4 results	4 results
Chart	area chart	area chart
FAQs	6 answered	3 answered

Input Comparison

Shared Inputs

Current Age
Retirement Age
Expected Annual Return

Only in 401(k) Calculator

Current 401(k) Balance
Annual Salary
Your Contribution (%)
Employer Match (%)
Match Up To (% of salary)

Only in Roth IRA Calculator

Current Roth IRA Balance
Annual Contribution

Which Calculator Should You Use?

Use the 401(k) Calculator if you need to:

Calculate projected 401(k) balance
When you know your current age and retirement age
Want a visual area chart breakdown

Use the Roth IRA Calculator if you need to:

Calculate projected roth ira balance
When you know your current age and retirement age
Want a visual area chart breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I contribute enough to get the full employer match?

Yes — always capture the full employer match before anything else. An employer match of 50% up to 6% of salary is an immediate 50% return on investment. No other investment offers guaranteed returns like this. Not capturing the full match is leaving part of your compensation on the table.

What is the 401(k) contribution limit?

For 2024, you can contribute up to $23,000 to a 401(k) if you're under 50. If you're 50 or older, the catch-up contribution limit allows an additional $7,500, for a total of $30,500. These limits apply to your contributions only — employer matches don't count toward your personal limit.

What is the Roth IRA contribution limit?

For 2026, the annual contribution limit is $7,000 for those under 50 and $8,000 for those 50 and older. Income limits may reduce or eliminate eligibility.

What are the income limits for Roth IRA?

For 2026, single filers can contribute fully if MAGI is under $150,000 and partially up to $165,000. Married filing jointly, the phase-out range is $236,000 to $246,000.

Related Comparisons

401(k) Calculator vs Retirement Calculator

Investment & Retirement

401(k) Calculator vs Investment Calculator

Investment & Retirement

401(k) Calculator vs Pension Calculator

Investment & Retirement

401(k) Calculator vs Retirement Savings Calculator

Investment & Retirement

Retirement Calculator vs Roth IRA Calculator

Investment & Retirement

Investment Calculator vs Roth IRA Calculator

Investment & Retirement

Bottom Line

Choose the 401(k) Calculator if you need to calculate projected 401(k) balance. Use the Roth IRA Calculator if you need to calculate projected roth ira balance. Both calculators are free and require no sign-up.

Use 401(k) Calculator Use Roth IRA Calculator

Feature

401(k) Calculator

Roth IRA Calculator

Use the 401(k) Calculator if you need to:

Calculate projected 401(k) balance
When you know your current age and retirement age
Want a visual area chart breakdown

Use the Roth IRA Calculator if you need to:

Calculate projected roth ira balance
When you know your current age and retirement age
Want a visual area chart breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I contribute enough to get the full employer match?

What is the 401(k) contribution limit?

What is the Roth IRA contribution limit?

For 2026, the annual contribution limit is $7,000 for those under 50 and $8,000 for those 50 and older. Income limits may reduce or eliminate eligibility.

What are the income limits for Roth IRA?

For 2026, single filers can contribute fully if MAGI is under $150,000 and partially up to $165,000. Married filing jointly, the phase-out range is $236,000 to $246,000.