What is a typical 401(k) match?

Common formulas include 50% on the first 6% or 100% on the first 4% of salary. Enter your plan’s specifics to see your match.

Do matches count toward IRS limits?

Employee and employer totals are subject to an overall limit, but your personal deferral limit applies only to your contributions. Employer match does not reduce your personal limit.

What if I front-load contributions?

Some plans have “true-up” provisions; others don’t. Front-loading can cause missed matches if your plan only matches per paycheck.

How does vesting affect the match?

Vesting schedules control how much of the employer match you keep if you leave. This calculator does not model vesting—check your plan’s policy.

Should I increase my deferral after a raise?

Yes—adjusting deferrals after raises helps you capture the full match and grow savings without reducing take-home dramatically.

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401(k) Employer Match Calculator

Estimate your annual 401(k) contributions with employer matching and plan caps.

Results

Employee contribution (annual): $8,500 USD
Employer match (annual): $2,550 USD
Total contributions (annual): $11,050 USD
Employer match (% of salary): 3.00%

How to use this calculator

Enter your annual salary and your contribution percentage.
Add your employer’s match rate and the match cap (% of salary they will match).
Review your annual contribution, employer match, and total saving.

Inputs explained

Annual salary: Your gross yearly pay used to calculate contributions.
Your contribution %: Percent of salary you defer to the 401(k).
Employer match %: The rate your employer matches on your contribution (e.g., 50% = half of what you put in).
Match cap (% of salary): Maximum portion of salary that’s eligible for matching (e.g., 6%).

How it works

Employee contribution = salary × your contribution %.

Matchable percent = min(your %, match cap). Employer match = matchable % × match rate, all as a percent of salary.

Total annual contribution = your contribution + employer match.

Formula

Employee = Salary × Your%
Match% of salary = min(Your%, Cap%) × (Match rate)
Employer match = Salary × Match%
Total = Employee + Employer

When to use it

Estimating how much match you leave on the table if you don’t hit the cap.
Comparing different contribution percentages to maximize free employer money.
Planning contributions before annual enrollment or a job change.

Tips & cautions

At a minimum, contribute enough to capture the full match—it’s guaranteed return.
Check IRS contribution limits; employee deferrals may cap before match caps do.
Increase contributions after raises to avoid missing the full match later in the year.
Assumes consistent salary and contributions; does not model paycheck timing or true-up policies.
Does not include vesting schedules—unvested employer contributions may not be fully yours if you leave.

Worked examples

$100k salary, 10% contribution, 50% match up to 6%

Employee = $10,000
Matchable % = 6%
Employer match = $3,000
Total = $13,000

$80k salary, 4% contribution, 100% match up to 4%

Employee = $3,200
Matchable % = 4%
Employer match = $3,200
Total = $6,400

Deep dive

A 401(k) employer match is free money. This calculator shows how salary, your deferral percent, match rate, and match cap translate into annual contributions so you can avoid leaving match dollars unclaimed.

Use it to test scenarios: bump your contribution to capture the full match, see how much total saving that creates, and compare offers when changing jobs. Adjust inputs to mirror your plan’s exact match formula.

FAQs

What is a typical 401(k) match?: Common formulas include 50% on the first 6% or 100% on the first 4% of salary. Enter your plan’s specifics to see your match.
Do matches count toward IRS limits?: Employee and employer totals are subject to an overall limit, but your personal deferral limit applies only to your contributions. Employer match does not reduce your personal limit.
What if I front-load contributions?: Some plans have “true-up” provisions; others don’t. Front-loading can cause missed matches if your plan only matches per paycheck.
How does vesting affect the match?: Vesting schedules control how much of the employer match you keep if you leave. This calculator does not model vesting—check your plan’s policy.
Should I increase my deferral after a raise?: Yes—adjusting deferrals after raises helps you capture the full match and grow savings without reducing take-home dramatically.

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For planning only. Actual plan limits, vesting, and IRS caps apply. Not financial advice.