401(k) Match Calculator
Find your employer 401(k) match and total contribution.
100% = dollar-for-dollar
Employer matches up to this
Results update as you type.
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How it works
An employer 401(k) match is free money toward your retirement, and this calculator shows how much you earn and your total contribution. You enter your salary, the percentage of salary you contribute, and your employer's match terms, and it returns the employer match, your own contribution, and the combined total. Employer matches typically work by matching a rate of your contribution up to a cap stated as a percent of your salary. A very common formula is a 100 percent match on the first 6 percent of salary you contribute, meaning if you put in 6 percent, the employer adds another 6 percent. Some plans match 50 percent (fifty cents on the dollar) up to a higher percentage. The calculator applies the lesser of your contribution rate and the match limit, so contributing above the cap earns no extra match, while contributing below it leaves match money on the table. Capturing the full employer match should be a top financial priority, since it is an immediate, guaranteed return that no other investment reliably offers; failing to contribute enough to get the full match is effectively declining a raise. Use this to check whether you are contributing enough to maximize the match and to see the total going into your retirement each year. Note that annual IRS contribution limits cap total employee contributions. Enter your salary, contribution, and match terms to find your employer match.
Match = salary × min(your %, limit %) × match rate
Employers match a percentage of your contribution up to a limit expressed as a percent of salary. The matched portion is the lesser of your contribution rate and the limit, multiplied by salary and the match rate. A common plan matches 100 percent of contributions up to 6 percent of salary.
Source:Retirement plan matching
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter annual salary and your contribution.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust employer match rate and match limit if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Employer match updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How does a 401(k) employer match work?
Your employer contributes to your 401(k) based on what you contribute, up to a limit. A common formula matches 100 percent of your contributions up to 6 percent of your salary. If you contribute 6 percent, the employer adds an equal amount; contribute less and you get less match, contribute more and the extra is unmatched.
Why is capturing the full match so important?
The employer match is an immediate, guaranteed return on your money, often 50 to 100 percent, that no ordinary investment reliably matches. Not contributing enough to earn the full match is like turning down free money or a raise. Financial advisors commonly recommend contributing at least enough to capture the entire match before other investing.
What is the difference between match rate and match limit?
The match rate is how much the employer contributes per dollar you contribute, such as 100 percent (dollar-for-dollar) or 50 percent (fifty cents per dollar). The match limit is the maximum they match, expressed as a percent of your salary. Together they define the match, for example 50 percent up to 6 percent of salary.
What happens if I contribute more than the match limit?
Contributing above the match limit still adds to your retirement savings, but those extra contributions are not matched by the employer. The match applies only up to its cap. Many people still contribute beyond the match for tax advantages and larger savings, but the guaranteed match return stops at the limit.
Are there limits on total 401(k) contributions?
Yes. The IRS sets an annual limit on employee contributions, which increases periodically and is higher for those age 50 and over with catch-up contributions. Employer matches are on top of your contributions but subject to a separate combined limit. Check the current year's IRS limits to ensure your contributions stay within the allowed maximum.