IRA calculator.
Use this free ira calculator to get fast estimates, compare scenarios, and understand the numbers with clear step-by-step context.
Use the IRA Calculator.
Results update automatically as you type. No account is required.
Enter your traditional IRA details
About you
Your timeline sets how many years your IRA has to compound.
Your traditional IRA
Current balance, annual contribution, expected return, and the tax rate you expect on withdrawals.
Year-by-year growth
How your traditional IRA builds each year from your pre-tax contributions and tax-deferred growth. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income later.
About the Traditional IRA Calculator
A traditional IRA is an individual retirement account funded with pre-tax (often tax-deductible) money. Your contributions may lower your taxable income today, the account grows tax-deferred, and you pay ordinary income tax when you withdraw in retirement. This traditional IRA calculator projects your pre-tax balance at retirement and estimates its after-tax value using the tax rate you expect to pay on withdrawals.
How traditional IRA growth is calculated
Your current balance and each annual contribution are compounded monthly at your expected return until retirement. Because growth is tax-deferred, nothing is taxed along the way. The calculator then applies your expected retirement tax rate to estimate the after-tax value — the amount you would actually keep if you withdrew the whole balance.
Traditional vs. Roth IRA
A traditional IRA gives you a potential tax break now and taxes withdrawals later, while a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money and gives tax-free withdrawals. Traditional IRAs tend to win if your tax rate will be lower in retirement; Roth IRAs tend to win if it will be higher. Comparing both with realistic tax rates helps you decide.
Contribution limits and RMDs
For 2026 the IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older, combined across all IRAs. Traditional IRAs also require minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73, which gradually force taxable withdrawals whether or not you need the money.
Deductibility
Whether your traditional IRA contributions are tax-deductible depends on your income and whether you or your spouse are covered by a workplace retirement plan. The deduction reduces the effective cost of contributing, which is part of why traditional IRAs can be attractive for higher earners today.
Important disclaimer
⚠ Disclaimer: This traditional IRA calculator is for general education and planning only and is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Projections assume a constant average return, steady contributions, and a single flat retirement tax rate; real returns, tax brackets, and rules change over time. It does not check deductibility, contribution limits, RMD requirements, or early-withdrawal penalties. Confirm details with the IRS or a qualified financial advisor.
Related calculators
Roth IRA Calculator · 401(k) Calculator · Retirement Calculator · RMD Calculator
Traditional IRA Calculator FAQ
How much will my traditional IRA be worth?
The calculator compounds your balance and annual contributions monthly at your expected return to project a pre-tax balance at retirement, then estimates the after-tax value using your expected tax rate.
How is a traditional IRA taxed?
Contributions may be tax-deductible, growth is tax-deferred, and withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. That is why the calculator shows both the pre-tax balance and an after-tax value.
What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older, combined across all your traditional and Roth IRAs.
What is the difference between a traditional and Roth IRA?
A traditional IRA gives a possible deduction now and taxes withdrawals later; a Roth IRA uses after-tax contributions and gives tax-free withdrawals. The better choice depends on your current versus future tax rate.
What are required minimum distributions (RMDs)?
Traditional IRAs require you to start withdrawing a minimum amount each year beginning at age 73. These withdrawals are taxable and can be estimated with an RMD calculator.
Are my contributions tax-deductible?
It depends on your income and whether you have a workplace retirement plan. Some or all of your contribution may be deductible; check current IRS rules for your situation.
Is the projected return guaranteed?
No. The calculator uses a constant average return for the projection, but actual investment returns vary and can be negative in some years.
Is this traditional IRA calculator free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser.