401(k) match calculator
Find out what your employer's match is worth each year, the smallest contribution that captures all of it, and how much the free money grows to by retirement.
Your plan
Match formula
Match by contribution rate
Past 6% the bars stop growing: extra savings are still yours, but the employer adds nothing more.
How a 401(k) match works
A match formula such as "50% of the first 6%" means the employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, on contributions up to 6% of salary. Contribute 6% of $80,000 ($4,800) and the employer adds $2,400. Contribute 3% and you get only $1,200.
Common formulas include 100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2% (the IRS "safe harbor" basic match, worth 4% of pay), 50% of the first 6% (3% of pay) and a flat dollar-for-dollar match up to 4–6%. Check the vesting schedule too: matches can take up to three years (cliff) or six years (graded) to become fully yours under federal rules.
For 2026 the IRS lets employees contribute up to $24,500, plus an $8,000 catch-up from age 50 (a higher catch-up applies at ages 60–63). Employer matches don't count toward your personal limit. The match is part of your pay: include it when you compare job offers or total up a compensation package.
Questions people ask
How do I calculate my 401(k) match?
Multiply your salary by the part of your contribution the employer matches, then by the match rate. For "50% of the first 6%" on $90,000 at a 6% contribution: $90,000 × 6% × 50% = $2,700 a year.
How much should I contribute to get the full match?
At least the top of the match formula: 6% for "50% of the first 6%", or 5% for "100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%". The calculator shows the exact rate for any formula.
What is a good 401(k) match?
A match worth 4% of salary or more is generous. Vanguard's How America Saves report puts the average employer match promise at around 4.5% of pay.
Does the employer match count toward the 401(k) limit?
No. The 2026 employee deferral limit of $24,500 covers only your contributions. Employer money counts toward a higher combined limit.
What happens to my match if I leave the job?
Your own contributions are always yours. Employer matches follow the plan's vesting schedule, so unvested match money is forfeited if you leave early.