401k Calculator & Guide
Roth 401(k) contributions do not have a separate employee limit. They share the applicable 401(k) elective-deferral limit with traditional pre-tax contributions. Learn the 2026 limits, catch-up rules, annual additions limit and how the numbers work.
The Roth 401(k) limit is part of the overall employee elective deferral limit. Your Roth contributions and traditional pre-tax elective deferrals are combined when determining whether you have reached the annual limit.
2026 employee elective-deferral limit for applicable 401(k) plans.
Additional 2026 catch-up limit generally available to eligible participants age 50 or older.
Higher 2026 catch-up limit for eligible participants ages 60, 61, 62 and 63.
2026 defined-contribution annual-additions limit before applicable catch-up contributions.
There is no separate $24,500 Roth bucket plus another $24,500 traditional bucket. The applicable employee elective-deferral limit covers the combined amount of traditional pre-tax and designated Roth elective deferrals.
Designated Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are included in gross income in the year of contribution.
Traditional pre-tax elective deferrals generally receive pre-tax treatment and are also subject to the same applicable elective-deferral limit.
These examples use the 2026 basic employee elective-deferral limit and assume the plan permits both contribution types.
| Example | Traditional 401(k) | Roth 401(k) | Total Employee Deferral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roth only | $0 | $24,500 | $24,500 |
| Traditional only | $24,500 | $0 | $24,500 |
| 50 / 50 split | $12,250 | $12,250 | $24,500 |
| 25 / 75 split | $6,125 | $18,375 | $24,500 |
Eligible participants can contribute beyond the basic elective deferral limit through catch-up contributions, subject to the applicable rules.
2026 basic employee elective-deferral limit.
If permitted by the plan, the 2026 total can generally reach $32,500 for eligible participants age 50 or older.
The higher 2026 catch-up can generally bring the total to $35,750 for eligible participants in this age range.
The annual-additions limit is not the same as the employee elective-deferral limit. It considers additional contributions going into the defined-contribution plan.
Generally, annual additions cannot exceed the lesser of $72,000 or 100% of the participant's compensation, before applicable catch-up contributions.
Employer matching contributions do not use up the employee's $24,500 elective-deferral limit. However, employer contributions generally count toward the separate annual-additions limit.
Counts toward the employee elective-deferral limit.
Does not reduce your $24,500 employee elective-deferral limit, but generally counts toward annual additions.
Applicable catch-up contributions are treated separately from the annual-additions limit.
Use this simple tool to divide the 2026 basic Roth 401(k) employee limit across common pay schedules.
This tool divides the basic $24,500 annual limit. It does not calculate taxes, employer matching or catch-up limits.
Divide the selected annual amount evenly across your chosen number of paychecks.
Designated Roth 401(k) contributions do not have the modified AGI income limits that apply to Roth IRA contributions.
Your employer plan can impose lower contribution limits or other restrictions.
If permitted by the plan, you can contribute to both in the same year, subject to the combined limit.
Employer matching contributions generally count toward the annual-additions limit rather than the employee deferral limit.
Use the Roth 401(k) calculator to explore an illustrative contribution and growth scenario, then compare it with traditional 401(k) contributions.
Clear guides, useful calculators and practical retirement resources to help you understand your 401(k), contributions, employer matching, Roth options, rollovers and long-term savings.
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