Roth IRA Calculator
Estimate how much your Roth IRA could be worth at retirement based on yearly contributions and an expected annual return.
Example
Contribute $7,000 per year for 30 years at a 7% annual return, starting from $0 and contributing at each year end.
Total contributions = $7,000 x 30 = $210,000.00. Using the annuity formula FV = C x ((1+r)^n - 1) / r = 7000 x ((1.07^30 - 1) / 0.07) = $661,225.50. That means roughly $451,225.50 of tax-free investment growth.
How it works
Enter your annual contribution, years until withdrawal and an expected return rate; the calculator compounds contributions yearly and splits your ending balance into what you put in versus tax-free growth.
Good to know
This Roth IRA Calculator projects what your account could grow to by retirement using four inputs: your annual contribution, the number of years you'll keep investing, an expected yearly return, and any current balance. It compounds your contributions once a year and then splits the ending total into the dollars you actually put in versus the tax-free investment growth, so you can see at a glance how much of the result comes from saving and how much comes from compounding.
It's built for anyone weighing how much to set aside each year, comparing return assumptions, or sanity-checking a long-term savings target. Because everything runs in your browser, it's a quick way to model "what if" scenarios without signing up or sharing income details. A useful habit is to run it twice with different return rates, such as a conservative 5% and an optimistic 8%, to see the realistic range your balance might land in rather than fixating on one number.
When reading the result, focus on the three breakdown figures and the two bars: total contributions, total growth, and starting balance. The "Contribute at" toggle matters more than it looks. Choosing year start applies an extra period of compounding to each deposit, which produces a slightly higher balance than year end for the same inputs. The bars show the contribution-versus-growth mix, and over long horizons growth typically overtakes contributions, which is the whole point of starting early.
A key caveat: the projection assumes one fixed return every year and ignores inflation, fees, and IRS rules, so treat the output as a smooth illustration rather than a forecast. Real returns vary year to year, and the IRS caps annual Roth contributions and phases out eligibility at higher incomes. The figure shown is in future dollars, so a balance decades away will buy less than the same amount today.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Roth IRA balance tax-free?
You fund a Roth IRA with after-tax dollars, so qualified withdrawals in retirement (generally after age 59-1/2 and a 5-year holding period) are completely tax-free, including all investment growth. This calculator projects the full balance assuming no taxes are owed at withdrawal.
Does this account for IRS contribution limits?
No. The calculator lets you enter any annual amount so you can model scenarios, but the IRS caps Roth IRA contributions each year (with extra catch-up amounts at age 50+), and eligibility phases out at higher incomes. Check current IRS limits before contributing.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No — this calculator runs entirely in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Is this financial advice?
No. These are educational estimates — consult a qualified financial professional before making decisions.
People also ask
How much can a Roth IRA grow in 30 years?
It depends entirely on your annual contribution and return rate. As one example, $7,000 a year for 30 years at a 7% return grows to roughly $661,000, of which about $451,000 is investment growth. Lower returns or smaller contributions produce proportionally lower balances.
What is a realistic rate of return to use for a Roth IRA?
Many people model long-term stock-heavy portfolios using a nominal return in the range of about 6% to 8% before inflation, while more conservative or bond-heavy mixes assume less. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so running several rates gives a more honest picture than a single assumption.
What is the difference between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA?
A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars and qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, while a traditional IRA is typically funded with pre-tax dollars and withdrawals are taxed as income. The right choice often depends on whether you expect your tax rate to be higher now or in retirement.
Does contributing at the start of the year really make a difference?
Yes, modestly. Contributing at the beginning of each year gives every deposit one extra period to compound compared with contributing at year end, which raises the final balance slightly for the same inputs. The gap widens with higher return rates and longer time horizons.
Are Roth IRA contributions tax deductible?
No. Roth IRA contributions are made with money you've already paid tax on, so they are not deductible. The tax benefit comes later, when qualified withdrawals of both contributions and growth come out tax-free.
How does inflation affect this projection?
This calculator shows results in nominal future dollars and does not adjust for inflation, so the purchasing power of a large future balance will be lower than the same amount today. To approximate real value, you can subtract an estimated inflation rate from your expected return before entering it.
Can I lose money in a Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA is an account type, not an investment, so its value depends on what you hold inside it. Investments such as stock funds can fall in value, meaning the balance can drop even though qualified withdrawals remain tax-free. This calculator assumes a steady positive return and does not model losses.
Related calculators