Free calculator
Roth IRA calculator
Model Roth IRA savings to retirement with a constant monthly contribution (after-tax money you contribute), a nominal expected return, and the compounding you choose. Project a balance at a target retirement age, or set a goal balance and read the monthly that reaches it. This page is growth math only—it does not check MAGI, IRS contribution limits, or Roth vs traditional tax tradeoffs (see FAQ). Optional inflation shows one common “today’s dollars” deflation—an illustration, not a forecast. Copy FV/PMT into Google Sheets or Excel when you move the same logic into a file.
When to use this calculator
A transparent after-tax savings growth model before you open a broker’s contribution wizard or build scenarios in a spreadsheet.
- Ballpark how a Roth IRA balance and steady monthly investing might compound to a retirement date under the assumptions you set.
- Ask “what monthly gets my Roth IRA to $X by retirement?” and read a level end-of-month contribution under the same assumptions (not a MAGI answer).
- Sanity-check a row you will paste into a larger model after you align return, compounding, and inflation with your team’s conventions.
- Teach end-of-month
FV/PMTsign conventions next to a short methodology—same timing family as our retirement savings tool, Roth-labeled here.
We turn your current and retirement ages into a horizon in months (same rounding story as our retirement savings tool). The engine is the same as our compound interest page: a lump sum and end-of-month monthly contributions, with a nominal annual return and a compounding frequency for the per-month growth factor. Roth framing is about account context and copy—qualified withdrawals are not taxed in this growth-only illustration.
Ages to months
We use retirement age − current age as a decimal years value, then a month count that matches the compound-interest page’s rounding to whole months. If retirement is not after current age, we stop with an error.
Project mode (future balance)
We apply the same closed form as the compound calculator: starting Roth balance and each monthly inflow, with a growth factor from your nominal rate and compounding pick.
Target mode (PMT to a goal)
We ask what monthly closes the gap between the lump-sum future value and your target balance, same rate and horizon. When the starting balance already meets the goal in that model, the page shows $0 required add-on; at 0% rate, the needed monthly is (goal − start) ÷ months.
Optional inflation deflates only the displayed “today’s dollars” number by (1 + expected inflation)^years—a common textbook shortcut; it is not variable inflation or a macro forecast.
MAGI, income phase-outs, catch-up limits, Roth vs traditional, and conversion tax live outside this calculator—see the FAQ and IRS or broker tools. For 401(k) deferral + employer match, use the 401(k) calculator; for generic nest eggs without Roth labeling, use retirement savings; for doubling heuristics, try the rule of 72.
Google Sheets & Excel (FV, PMT)
This page uses end-of-month saving. In Sheets/Excel, outflows are negative inside FV / PMT when you use the same convention as the compound calculator. Replace the names with your cell layout.
=FV(annualRate/12, months, -monthly, -balance, 0)Use years×12 for months when the horizon comes from your ages. Balance = starting Roth IRA balance, negated; monthly = your contribution, negated. Last 0 = end of period, matching this page.
=PMT(annualRate/12, months, -balance, -goal, 0)Solves the level monthly to reach goal after months with rate annualRate/12 and a starting balance balance (as present value, negated in the function).
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator check MAGI or how much I can contribute to a Roth IRA?
No. MAGI, filing status, and IRS phase-outs change with tax law and your return—we do not collect income tax inputs or compute allowed contributions. For limit and eligibility math, use your custodian’s IRA contribution tool (for example Fidelity, Vanguard, or TIAA) and the IRS Roth IRA pages. This page stays a transparent FV/PMT growth illustration with the numbers you type.
Where do IRS contribution limits show up?
We may mention current-year limits in copy as a static reference for context—they are not enforced or validated against your situation here. Limits and catch-up amounts change; confirm with IRS Publication 590-A or your tax professional before funding accounts.
How is this different from your retirement savings calculator?
The math engine is the same (end-of-month contributions + compounding). This page is Roth IRA–framed (after-tax contributions, account context, and FAQ about MAGI and limits). The retirement savings tool speaks to a generic nest egg without Roth-specific disclaimers—pick whichever matches your question.
When should I use the 401(k) calculator instead?
Use the 401(k) calculator when you need salary-based deferral %, employer match, or optional salary growth—workplace plan mechanics this Roth IRA page does not model. Use this Roth IRA tool for IRA-only balance growth with a steady monthly you choose.
Does this compare Roth vs traditional IRA?
No—that comparison depends on marginal tax rates today vs at withdrawal, which we do not collect. Many brokers publish a Roth vs traditional wizard (for example Schwab). Here we only project nominal growth inside a Roth story with your return and timing assumptions.
Are withdrawals or qualified distribution rules modeled?
No. This is accumulation math only. Qualified Roth IRA withdrawals can be tax-free after age 59½ and a five-year rule in many cases—details depend on your facts and tax law. Early withdrawals may face tax and penalty; we do not compute them. Ask a tax professional when withdrawal timing matters.
How do I do this in Google Sheets or Excel?
=FV(annualRate/12, nMonths, -monthly, -start, 0) for the same end timing; =PMT(annualRate/12, nMonths, -start, -goal, 0) to back-solve a level monthly. Keep annualRate as a decimal (0.05 for 5%) or divide your percent by 100 inside the function.
Why might this differ from NerdWallet, my bank, or a robo app?
Those products may add time-varying returns, fees, auto-escalation, employer plans, MAGI checks, or default assumptions. This page shows one transparent story with the fields you set—compare outputs with care.
Is this investment or tax advice?
No. The numbers are a simplified illustration for learning and top-of-funnel spreadsheet checks—not a fiduciary recommendation, tax return, or product pitch.