Find exactly how much to defer from each remaining paycheck to reach the 401(k) limit by December 31. Enter your salary, pay frequency, paychecks left and what you have already put in this year; the calculator gives the dollar amount, the percentage to elect and a paycheck-by-paycheck schedule.
Last updated:
You & your limit
Pay
$
Count the next paycheck if its deferral can still be changed.
$
Your own pre-tax + Roth deferrals, all plans this year.
Employer match (optional)
% of your contributions
% of pay
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Max 401(k) Per Paycheck Calculator
Pick the tax year and enter your age at the end of that year.
Enter your yearly salary and how often you are paid.
Enter the paychecks left this year and your 401(k) contributions so far (from your latest pay stub).
Optionally add your employer match formula.
Press Calculate and set the shown percentage in your payroll or plan website.
The max-out formula
Per paycheck = (annual limit − contributed so far) ÷ paychecks left Percent to elect = per paycheck ÷ gross pay per paycheck × 100
Example: in 2026 you earn $95,000 paid every two weeks ($3,653.85 per check), have contributed $9,000 and have 13 paychecks left. Remaining room is $24,500 − $9,000 = $15,500, so you need $15,500 ÷ 13 = $1,192.31 per paycheck, which is 32.63% of pay. Electing 33% reaches the limit on the last check.
401(k) limits and full-year amounts per paycheck
IRS elective deferral limits (Notice 2024-80 for 2025, Notice 2025-67 for 2026). The same limits apply to 403(b) plans, governmental 457(b) plans and the TSP.
2026 limit
Annual
Weekly (52)
Biweekly (26)
Semimonthly (24)
Monthly (12)
Under 50
$24,500
$471.15
$942.31
$1,020.83
$2,041.67
Age 50–59 or 64+
$32,500
$625.00
$1,250.00
$1,354.17
$2,708.33
Age 60–63
$35,750
$687.50
$1,375.00
$1,489.58
$2,979.17
For 2025 the limits were $23,500, $31,000 (age 50+) and $34,750 (ages 60–63). Your age is your age on December 31 of the year.
Tips for maxing out smoothly
Change your election early in the year. The more paychecks you spread it over, the smaller the bite from each check.
Check your take-home pay. A pre-tax 401(k) dollar reduces take-home pay by less than a dollar because it also lowers federal and most state income tax.
Watch bonus checks. Many plans apply your percentage to bonuses too, which can push you to the limit sooner than this schedule shows.
Changing jobs? Payroll at the new employer doesn’t know what you put in at the old one, so you have to track the combined limit yourself.
Protect the match. If your plan has no true-up, avoid hitting the limit before the last paycheck of the year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
For 2026 you can defer up to $24,500 of salary into a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b) or the federal TSP. Savers age 50 or older can add an $8,000 catch-up (total $32,500), and those who turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 during the year can add $11,250 instead (total $35,750). For 2025 the figures were $23,500, $7,500 and $11,250.
How much do I need per paycheck to max out my 401(k)?
Divide the limit by the number of paychecks: $24,500 ÷ 26 biweekly checks is $942.31 per check, and ÷ 24 semimonthly checks is $1,020.83. Mid-year, subtract what you have already contributed and divide the rest by the paychecks left.
Should I round my percentage up or down?
Most plans only accept whole percentages. Rounding up gets you to the limit slightly early (payroll stops deferrals at the limit), while rounding down leaves a small amount unused. If your plan lets you elect a flat dollar amount per paycheck, use the exact amount instead.
Can I lose my employer match by maxing out early?
Yes, if your employer matches each paycheck and does not do a year-end true-up. Once you hit the limit, deferrals stop and so does the match on the remaining checks. Spreading contributions over every paycheck avoids that; ask HR whether your plan has a true-up.
Does the employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?
No. The elective deferral limit applies only to your own pre-tax and Roth contributions. Employer match and profit sharing fall under a separate total-additions limit of $72,000 for 2026 ($70,000 for 2025), not counting catch-ups.
What if I contributed to two 401(k) plans this year?
The elective deferral limit is per person, not per plan. If you changed jobs, add what you put into the old employer’s plan to “contributed so far” so you don’t go over. Excess deferrals must be withdrawn by April 15 of the following year to avoid double taxation.
Do catch-up contributions have to be Roth?
Starting in 2026, if your prior-year FICA wages from the employer sponsoring the plan were more than $150,000, your catch-up contributions must be made as Roth (after-tax) contributions. Your regular deferrals can still be pre-tax.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
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.