401(k) Employer Match Calculator
Estimate employer matching contributions and missed match value.
- Last reviewed
- August 26, 2026
- Cost
- Free to use
- Data
- Runs in your browser
- Reviewed by
- Anton Jonson
Annual Employer Match
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Monthly Employer Match
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Employee Contribution
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Total Annual Contribution
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Free Money Missed
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Methodology
How this calculator handles inputs
This calculator uses the values you enter above and applies the formula explained in the guide below. Results update in the browser and are intended for quick planning, comparison, and sanity-checking.
- Use consistent periods, currencies, and units across inputs.
- Review any assumptions before using the result in a decision.
- Recalculate when rates, prices, tax rules, or business terms change.
Important note
This tool provides general planning information only. It is not tax, legal, financial, accounting, or investment advice. Check the current rules for your location and speak with a qualified professional before making a high-stakes decision.
Guide
How it works
Use this calculator to estimate the value of employer matching contributions in a 401(k) plan.
What this calculator does
The 401(k) employer match calculator shows how much your employer may add to your retirement account. It also estimates missed match if your contribution is below the matching cap.
It uses:
- annual salary
- employee contribution percentage
- employer match percentage
- employer match cap
401(k) Employer Match Formula
Employer Match = Salary × Eligible Employee % × Match %
Where:
- Eligible Employee % = lower of employee contribution and match cap
- Match % = employer match rate
- Salary = annual pay
- Missed Match = full match minus actual match
Example calculation
If:
- Salary = 100,000
- Employee contribution = 4%
- Employer match = 100%
- Match cap = 6%
Then:
- Eligible percentage = 4%
- Employer match = 100,000 × 4%
- Employer match = 4,000
- Missed match = 2,000
The annual employer match is 4,000.
What is 401(k) employer match?
Employer match is money your employer contributes to your 401(k) based on your own contributions. It is a major workplace retirement benefit.
Why employer match matters
- increases retirement savings without extra employee cash
- improves total compensation
- rewards consistent contributions
- can materially affect long-term growth
When to use this calculator
- deciding contribution percentage
- comparing job offers
- checking missed match value
- reviewing plan benefits
Common mistakes
- contributing below the match cap
- misunderstanding match percentage
- ignoring vesting schedules
- stopping contributions too early in the year
Employer match vs employee contribution
Employee contribution comes from salary deferral. Employer match is added by the employer based on plan rules.
Both grow in the account but have different sources.
FAQs
What is 401(k) employer match?
It is an employer contribution tied to how much you contribute.
How do you calculate employer match?
Multiply salary by the eligible contribution percentage and the match percentage.
What is a good employer match?
A common match is 50% to 100% on the first 3% to 6% of salary.
What is the difference between employer match and contribution?
Contribution is employee money. Match is employer money.
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