What is the 2026 IRA contribution limit?

$7,500 combined across traditional and Roth IRAs, or $8,600 if age 50+ (catch-up $1,100). This page caps the deposit at that limit. Income phase-outs for a deductible Traditional or a direct Roth are not modeled — use the backdoor Roth IRA calculator if MAGI is too high.

Same deposit vs same take-home — which is fair?

Same deposit puts the listed dollar amount into each IRA. Roth is after-tax, so it costs more paycheck. Same take-home scales the Roth deposit by (1 − current tax), which is the textbook comparison when you would otherwise keep the Traditional deduction.

On the same-paycheck view, Roth wins if your retirement tax rate is higher than today’s rate. Traditional wins if you expect a lower rate later. Equal rates tie. The same-deposit view usually favors Roth because tax was already paid.

Does this include employer 401(k) or a conversion?

No. Pair the 401k employer match calculator for workplace deferrals, the Roth conversion bracket-fill page for converting an existing Traditional IRA, and the backdoor Roth IRA calculator for a nondeductible contribution plus conversion.

No. Numbers never leave this tab.

No. It is a constant-rate sketch: no RMDs, NIIT, IRMAA, state tax, or MAGI phase-outs. Confirm with a CPA or IRS Pub. 590-A / 590-B.

Runs in your browser · Last updated 11 September 2026

Free Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA Calculator (US, 2026)

Free Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA calculator. Compare 2026 contributions, tax rates now vs retirement, growth, and after-tax take-home. Browser tool — nothing is uploaded.

Annual IRA contribution ($)Years until withdrawalsExpected return %Tax rate now % (ordinary)Tax rate in retirement %Age (2026 IRA limit)Existing IRA balance ($)

End-of-year deposits, constant return, no RMDs, MAGI phase-outs, or state tax. Traditional is treated as deductible. Roth withdrawals are treated as qualified (59½ + five-year rule). Same-deposit Roth looks larger because you already paid tax; same take-home is the fair paycheck comparison.

Same IRA deposit

Roth after-tax

$474,368

Traditional after-tax

$370,007

Leads (same deposit)

Roth

Pretax future value

$474,368

Roth take-home cost

$187,500

Traditional take-home cost

$142,500

Same take-home pay

Roth after-tax (scaled)

$360,520

Traditional after-tax

$370,007

Leads (same paycheck)

Traditional

2026 IRA limit

$7,500

Counted contribution

$7,500

Contributions invested

$187,500

How to use this tool

Enter the annual IRA deposit, years until you withdraw, and an expected return.
Set today’s ordinary tax rate and the rate you expect in retirement.
Compare after-tax balances on the same-deposit row and the same take-home row.

Worked example

$7,500 a year for 25 years at 7%: pretax future value is about $474,368. At a 24% rate now and in retirement, same take-home ties (~$360,520 each) because Roth is scaled to $5,700 of after-tax deposits. Raise retirement tax to 32% and Roth keeps the full pile while Traditional is cut to ~$322,570 — Roth wins on the paycheck view. Drop retirement tax to 12% and Traditional wins. Employer match math is on the 401k employer match calculator; a MAGI workaround is the backdoor Roth IRA calculator. If leftover cash would otherwise pay a loan, compare the extra payment mortgage calculator or the auto loan refinance calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 2026 IRA contribution limit?: $7,500 combined across traditional and Roth IRAs, or $8,600 if age 50+ (catch-up $1,100). This page caps the deposit at that limit. Income phase-outs for a deductible Traditional or a direct Roth are not modeled — use the backdoor Roth IRA calculator if MAGI is too high.
Same deposit vs same take-home — which is fair?: Same deposit puts the listed dollar amount into each IRA. Roth is after-tax, so it costs more paycheck. Same take-home scales the Roth deposit by (1 − current tax), which is the textbook comparison when you would otherwise keep the Traditional deduction.
When does Roth win?: On the same-paycheck view, Roth wins if your retirement tax rate is higher than today’s rate. Traditional wins if you expect a lower rate later. Equal rates tie. The same-deposit view usually favors Roth because tax was already paid.
Does this include employer 401(k) or a conversion?: No. Pair the 401k employer match calculator for workplace deferrals, the Roth conversion bracket-fill page for converting an existing Traditional IRA, and the backdoor Roth IRA calculator for a nondeductible contribution plus conversion.
Uploaded?: No. Numbers never leave this tab.
Is this tax advice?: No. It is a constant-rate sketch: no RMDs, NIIT, IRMAA, state tax, or MAGI phase-outs. Confirm with a CPA or IRS Pub. 590-A / 590-B.