Investing
Roth IRA Growth Calculator
Estimate Roth IRA growth from your monthly contribution, years, and an assumed return — capped at the IRS 2026 limit. Educational only, not a forecast.
A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money, and qualified withdrawals in retirement are generally tax-free. For 2026, the IRS caps total IRA contributions at $7,500 per person ($8,600 if you are age 50 or older), or your taxable compensation if that is less — and that cap covers all of your traditional and Roth IRAs combined, not $7,500 in each. This calculator respects that cap: if you enter a monthly amount above it, the page tells you so rather than silently modeling an illegal contribution. The growth figure is an illustration, not a prediction.
Enter your numbers above.
Estimates only — not financial advice. See assumptions below.
Worked example
Assumptions (all labeled, none presented as a market forecast): starting balance $0; $625 a month ($7,500 a year, the 2026 under-50 IRS limit); 30 years; hypothetical 6% annual return, compounded monthly; no fees; contributions made at each month-end.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total contributed | $225,000 |
| Illustrative ending balance | About $627,822 |
| Illustrative growth | About $402,822 |
For contrast, the same $625 a month over 20 years at the same hypothetical 6% gives about $288,776 — the extra decade, not a higher monthly amount, is what does most of the work.
How this works
Assumptions
- Monthly compounding; contributions made at each month-end.
- 2026 IRS annual IRA contribution cap enforced as a check, not a silent limit: $7,500 if under 50, $8,600 if age 50 or older, or taxable compensation if less; the cap covers all traditional + Roth IRAs combined.
- The assumed return is hypothetical — not a forecast, promise, or verified market return.
- Does not check Roth eligibility by income, and does not model taxes on non-qualified withdrawals, penalties, fees, inflation, or employer-plan interactions.
- Nothing is stored or sent anywhere; all inputs are user-entered.
Sources
- IRS, “Retirement topics — IRA contribution limits” — 2026 limit $7,500 ($8,600 if age 50 or older), or taxable compensation if less; limit applies across all traditional + Roth IRAs combined. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits (verified 2026-10-28)
- IRS, “Saving for retirement? IRAs are an option” (Tax Tip 2026-76) — Roth contributions are made with after-tax funds, are not deductible, and qualified distributions are tax-free. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/saving-for-retirement-iras-are-an-option (verified 2026-10-28)
How we make money: Unpack Money earns $0 in affiliate revenue and has no approved affiliate programs. Educational only; not tax, investment, or retirement advice. IRS limits change annually — verify the current year's limit at irs.gov before contributing.
FAQ
How much can I contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026?
$7,500 total across all your IRAs if you are under 50, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older — or your taxable compensation for the year if that is less (IRS, verified October 28, 2026).
Are Roth IRA withdrawals really tax-free?
Qualified distributions are tax-free, per the IRS. Whether a withdrawal counts as qualified depends on rules including the five-year rule and age/exception conditions — this page does not determine your situation.
What if I can only contribute $100 a month?
Contribute what you can, consistently. At a hypothetical 5% over 30 years, $100 a month illustrates to about $83,226 (contributions $36,000) — the habit matters more than starting at the cap. Re-run the calculator with your own number rather than taking any example as advice.
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