Roth vs Traditional Calculator
Compare Roth and Traditional retirement accounts and see which one may leave you with more after-tax money. Educational comparison only — not tax advice.
Tax & Contribution Details
Your federal + state marginal rate today
Your estimated tax rate in retirement
Amount you contribute each year
Roth (After-Tax)
$502,531
Tax-free withdrawals. Invested $159,600 after taxes.
Traditional (After-Tax)
$542,205
After paying 18% tax on $661,226 pre-tax balance.
Which Is Better?
Traditional
Traditional ahead by $39,674 — tax deduction now beats lower retirement rate
Roth vs Traditional Growth Comparison
After-tax value over time
How These Calculations Work
Roth Future Value (Tax-Free)
FV = Contribution × (1 − Current Tax Rate) × ((1 + r)^n − 1) / r
Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars. They grow tax-free and withdrawals are tax-free.
Traditional Future Value (After-Tax)
FV = Contribution × ((1 + r)^n − 1) / r × (1 − Retirement Tax Rate)
Traditional contributions are pre-tax. You pay income tax on withdrawals at your retirement tax rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Disclaimer
This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you enter and may differ from actual outcomes. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.