Money

401(k) employer match calculator

Enter your salary, what you contribute and your plan’s match formula to see your employer match, the rate you need for the full match, and any money left on the table.

Your numbers

$
% of pay
$
IRS limit for 2026 under age 50.
%
Tier 1 match rate.
% of pay
%
Tier 2. Set to 0 if your plan has one tier.
% of pay
$
Some plans cap the match at a fixed amount. Leave 0 if not.

Results

Not financial advice. This calculator gives estimates based on the assumptions you enter. Investment returns are not guaranteed. For decisions about your own money, consider speaking with a qualified financial professional.

How 401(k) matching works

Many employers add money to your 401(k) when you contribute. The match is usually described as a percentage of what you put in, up to a percentage of your pay. "50% of the first 6%" means that if you contribute 6% of your salary, your employer adds half of that, or 3% of your salary. Contribute less and you get less. Contribute more and the match stays at 3%.

Some plans use two tiers. A very common formula, often used in "safe harbor" plans, is 100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%. Contributing 5% of pay earns the maximum match of 4%.

How this calculator works

  1. It converts your contribution rate into dollars and caps it at the employee limit you enter.
  2. It walks through each tier. For the first tier it matches your contribution up to that tier's limit; any contribution above it flows into the second tier.
  3. It adds the tiers together, applies any dollar cap, and compares the result with the maximum match your plan offers.

The formula

Tier 1 match = min(your %, tier 1 limit) × tier 1 rate × salary Tier 2 match = min(max(your % − tier 1 limit, 0), tier 2 limit) × tier 2 rate × salary Rate needed for the full match = tier 1 limit + tier 2 limit

Worked example

Luis earns $80,000 and his plan matches 100% of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2%.

At a 3% contribution ($2,400 a year), the match is 3% × 100% × $80,000 = $2,400. If he raises his contribution to 5% ($4,000), the second tier adds 2% × 50% × $80,000 = $800, for a total match of $3,200. Going from 3% to 5% costs him $1,600 a year before tax and brings in an extra $800 of employer money.

2026 contribution limits

For 2026 the IRS limit on employee 401(k) deferrals is $24,500. Workers aged 50 and older can add a catch-up contribution of up to $8,000, and those aged 60 to 63 can use a higher catch-up of up to $11,250. Employer matches do not count toward the employee limit, although there is a separate, much higher overall limit on combined contributions. Change the limit field above if a different limit applies to you.

Things to check in your plan

  • Vesting. Employer money may vest over several years. If you leave early, you might forfeit some of it. Your own contributions are always yours.
  • Per-paycheck matching and true-ups. Many plans match each paycheck separately. If you hit the annual limit early in the year, you could miss matches on later paychecks unless your plan does a year-end "true-up".
  • Roth or pre-tax. Matching works the same whether you choose Roth or traditional contributions. Employer contributions have traditionally been made pre-tax, though some plans now let you choose Roth treatment for them.

Frequently asked questions

What is a typical 401(k) match?

Formulas vary widely. Common ones include 50% of the first 6% of pay, 100% of the first 3% to 6%, and the two-tier 100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%. Check your plan’s summary plan description for the exact formula.

Should I always contribute enough to get the full match?

For most people it is one of the best uses of savings, because it is an instant return on the money you contribute. If you have high-interest debt or no emergency savings, weigh those too, but try not to leave the match unclaimed for long.

Does the employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?

No. The $24,500 limit for 2026 applies to your own deferrals. Employer contributions fall under a separate, higher limit for total contributions.

What does "left on the table" mean?

It is the difference between the most your employer would add and what you are actually getting at your current contribution rate.

What if my contributions hit the limit before December?

If your plan matches per paycheck and has no true-up, you could lose matches for the remaining paychecks. Spreading contributions across the whole year avoids that.

Last reviewed November 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.