Backdoor Roth IRA Fidelity Tutorial [with Screenshots] | White coat investor

It’s not much different doing a Backdoor Roth IRA with Fidelity than it is with Vanguard, Charles Schwab or anywhere else. The first step, of course, is to make sure you have both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA with Fidelity. It only takes a few minutes to open it. Start with the traditional IRA.

Step 1: Contribute to fidelity Traditional IRA

First sign up with Fidelity. Then click ‘Open an account’ at the top.

Select “Open an Account” in the Retirement & IRAs section, and on the next page select “Open an IRA” in the Traditional IRA section.

After entering your personal information, view the “Important Documents” and open the account. Easy peasy.

You should now see it on the left side of the screen, along with your other Fidelity accounts.

Next, you need to fund that traditional IRA. It’s easiest to just transfer it from your checking account. Click “Continue” at the bottom of the page.

Now you have money in your traditional IRA. You’ll probably have to leave it in the traditional IRA for at least a few business days (or what Fidelity calls “an extended holding period”) until you can see the money actually being in the account. Below is an old screenshot showing the total amount of $6,000, but keep in mind that you can transfer as much as $7,500 [2026 — visit our annual numbers page to get the most up-to-date figures] into your Roth IRA via the Backdoor Method in 2026.

Now all you have to do is convert it to a Roth IRA.

Step 2: Convert Fidelity Traditional IRA to Roth IRA

If you don’t already have a Roth IRA with Fidelity, you can open one in the exact same place you opened the traditional IRA. This time, click “Open a Roth IRA.”

When the money appears in the traditional IRA, log back in and click “Transfer” at the top.

Simply transfer the $7,500 from your traditional IRA to your Roth IRA. If you’ve earned a few extra bucks from interest on the account, you don’t have to worry about it. Again, keep in mind that this is an older screenshot with a different amount in it. The maximum for 2026 is $7,500.

Doing not taxes withheld because nothing will be owed.

Convert the entire balance. Make sure you leave the account open for next year.

Step 3: Choose your Fidelity Roth IRA investments

You can now invest it as usual in your favorite investment within the Roth IRA.

If you have a question about the Backdoor Roth IRA (and not specifically about Fidelity), read this very in-depth Backdoor Roth IRA tutorial FIRST before asking your question in the comments below. I promise you there is a 99% chance your question will be answered there.

What do you think? Are you doing your Backdoor Roth IRA with Fidelity? Why or why not?