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401(k) vs Roth 401(k) Calculator

Compare equal 2026 employee deferrals to a traditional or Roth 401(k), including the current-tax cost of a Roth contribution and the estimated after-tax account value at retirement.

Quick answer: Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce taxable income today; Roth 401(k) contributions trade that deduction for tax-free qualified withdrawals later. The better choice depends on current versus future tax rates.

Traditional 401(k) After-Tax at Withdrawal

$1,573,636

Traditional 401(k) After-Tax at Withdrawal

$1,573,636

Annual Employer Match

$6,600

Traditional 401(k) Value (pre-tax)

$1,967,045

Roth 401(k) Value (qualified-distribution estimate)

$1,967,045

Side-by-side comparison

Annual Employer Match: $6,600Traditional 401(k) Value (pre-tax): $1,967,045Traditional 401(k) After-Tax at Withdrawal: $1,573,636Roth 401(k) Value (qualified-distribution estimate): $1,967,045

Roth advantage over traditional

$393,409

Traditional advantage over Roth

-$393,409

Illustrative Current Tax Savings (Traditional)

$5,880

Diagnostic

Over 25 years, the Roth scenario has $393,409 more after tax under the equal-deferral assumptions.

This comparison does not invest the traditional contribution's current tax savings, so it is not a complete household cash-flow comparison.

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What to do next

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Your action plan

1
Compare the leading option against your current setup
Traditional 401(k) saves tax now. Roth saves tax later. Find which puts more money in your pocket at retirement.
2
Check the assumptions before using the result for a high-stakes decision
Assumptions change the answer, especially when rates, taxes, or timing matter.
3
Save the result to Money Map or use the linked next action
Turn the result into a prioritized action instead of treating it as a one-off number.

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This is an educational estimate, not tax, legal, investment, or lending advice. Tax rules, rates, and eligibility change and depend on your full situation. Confirm with a qualified professional or the provider before acting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know.

What does the 401(k) vs Roth 401(k) Calculator show?

Compare equal 2026 employee deferrals to a traditional or Roth 401(k), including the current-tax cost of a Roth contribution and the estimated after-tax account value at retirement.

How should I use the result?

Use the result as a planning and comparison aid. Review the assumptions, adjust your inputs, and compare the output with your actual options before acting.

What should I do after using this calculator?

Use the related links and next-action modules on the page to compare products, continue in Money Map, or review related guidance on SwitchWize.

Is the 401(k) vs Roth 401(k) Calculator free to use?

Yes. SwitchWize calculators are free, and you do not need an account to run scenarios or view the result.

Does using the 401(k) vs Roth 401(k) Calculator affect my credit score?

No. Using a calculator does not trigger a credit check. A credit impact can occur only if you apply directly with a lender, card issuer, or provider.

Are the results personalized financial advice?

No. Calculator outputs are educational estimates based on the inputs you enter. Review assumptions and confirm terms directly with providers before making a financial decision.

What should I do after seeing the result?

Use the recommendation module on this page to compare top ira accounts, or run Money Map to compare this investing & retirement decision with your other opportunities.

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Related offers are matched by the calculator surface (ira) and ranked using SwitchWize data such as rate, fees, trust signals, product fit, and switching friction. Paid relationships do not change organic ranking order.

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Where can I see the ranking methodology?

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Can Money Map use this result?

Yes. Money Map is the broader diagnostic path: it compares savings, mortgage, cards, and debt so you can see whether this calculator result is your highest-impact next move.