Find out exactly how much free money your employer adds to your 401(k). Enter your salary, the percent you contribute and your plan's match formula (up to three tiers, such as 100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%), and see the match in dollars, your total yearly contribution, how much you are vested in, and any match you are leaving on the table.
Last updated:
$
% of pay
Employer match formula
%
% of pay
%
% of pay
%
% of pay
$
Some plans limit the match to a dollar amount.
$
Enter this year's IRS elective deferral limit to cap your contribution.
Vesting & paychecks
years
%
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the 401k Employer Match Calculator
Enter your salary and the percent of pay you contribute.
Enter your employer's match formula as tiers (rate and % of pay), or pick a preset.
Add a match cap or contribution limit if your plan has one.
Choose your vesting schedule and years of service, and your paycheck frequency.
Read the employer match, total contribution and any match left on the table; use the table to pick a contribution rate.
How a tiered 401(k) match works
Employer match = Σ (tier match rate × the part of your contribution that falls in the tier × salary). Contributions above the last tier get no match.
Example, salary $75,000, formula 100% of the first 3% + 50% of the next 2%:
Employer match = $2,625; total going in = $5,625 a year. Raising your contribution to 5% would add another $375 of match.
Common match formulas
Formula
Contribute at least
Max match (% of pay)
Max match on $60,000
100% up to 3% + 50% of next 2% (basic safe harbor)
5%
4%
$2,400
100% up to 4% (enhanced safe harbor)
4%
4%
$2,400
50% up to 6%
6%
3%
$1,800
100% up to 6%
6%
6%
$3,600
25% up to 6%
6%
1.5%
$900
Vesting schedules
Years of service
3-year cliff
6-year graded
5-year graded
1
0%
0%
20%
2
0%
20%
40%
3
100%
40%
60%
4
100%
60%
80%
5
100%
80%
100%
6
100%
100%
100%
To project how your balance grows over the years, use the 401(k) calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is a 401(k) employer match calculated?
Each tier matches a percentage of what you contribute, up to a slice of your salary. For '100% up to 3% plus 50% of the next 2%' on a $75,000 salary: if you contribute 5%, the employer adds 100% × 3% × $75,000 = $2,250 plus 50% × 2% × $75,000 = $750, a total of $3,000 (4% of pay).
What does 'match left on the table' mean?
It is the match you would get by contributing enough to max out the formula but are missing because you contribute less. With a 100% up to 3% + 50% of next 2% formula, contributing 3% instead of 5% leaves 1% of salary ($750 on $75,000) unclaimed every year.
What does a 50% match up to 6% mean?
Your employer puts in 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, on contributions up to 6% of your salary. Contribute 6% and you get 3% of salary from your employer; contributing more than 6% does not increase the match.
What is vesting?
Vesting is how much of the employer's contributions you keep if you leave the job. Your own contributions are always 100% yours. Common schedules are a cliff (0% until a set year, then 100%) or graded (for example 20% a year). US law requires employer matches to vest at least as fast as a 3-year cliff or a 6-year graded schedule (20% after 2 years, rising 20% each year); safe harbor matches vest immediately.
Does the employer match count toward my contribution limit?
No. The IRS elective deferral limit applies only to what you contribute. Employer contributions count toward a separate, higher total limit for all contributions to the account. Limits change most years, so enter the current figure from the IRS if you want your contribution capped.
What if I max out my contributions early in the year?
Some plans calculate the match each paycheck. If you hit the deferral limit early, you stop contributing and may miss the match for the rest of the year unless your plan does a year-end 'true-up'. Ask your plan administrator, or spread contributions over all paychecks.
Is the match based on my salary or my contribution?
Both: the match is a percentage of your contribution, but only on contributions up to a percentage of your eligible pay. Some plans define eligible pay to exclude bonuses or overtime; enter the pay your plan uses.
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Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.