Paycheck Calculator: Estimate Your Take-Home Pay
Find out how much of your salary or hourly wages you may take home after estimated federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and other deductions. Adjust your pay schedule and withholding assumptions to compare your paycheck in seconds.
Estimates are for planning and education, not an official payroll quote or tax advice.
Your pay details
For an hourly estimate, gross pay assumes the hours entered are paid at the entered hourly rate. Overtime, bonuses, credits, and special payroll rules are not modeled.
Estimated take-home pay per paycheck
Biweekly estimate · 26 paychecks per year
Paycheck breakdown
Your paycheck at a glance
This interactive chart updates when you change pay, withholding, or deductions. The chart appears below the calculator results for easy reading on mobile.
How to use this paycheck calculator
Use this paycheck calculator to estimate your take-home pay after common US payroll taxes and deductions. Enter your annual salary or hourly rate, choose how often you are paid, select a federal filing status, and adjust the state/local tax estimate and deductions to match your situation.
- Choose your pay type: enter an annual salary or hourly rate and typical weekly hours.
- Select your pay frequency: weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly.
- Set withholding assumptions: choose a filing status and state/local rate estimate.
- Add deductions: include estimated pre-tax benefits, post-tax deductions, or additional federal withholding.
- Review the results: compare take-home pay per paycheck, monthly, and annually, then inspect the chart and tax breakdown.
How is take-home pay calculated?
Take-home pay, sometimes called net pay, is the money remaining after taxes and deductions are subtracted from gross pay. Actual payroll calculations depend on current tax rules, your Form W-4, benefits, work location, and other circumstances.
Estimated net pay = gross pay − estimated taxes − pre-tax deductions − post-tax deductions − additional withholding.
For hourly workers, estimated gross annual pay is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For salaried workers, gross pay per paycheck is annual salary divided by the number of pay periods in a year.
Understanding paycheck taxes and deductions
Federal income tax
Federal income tax generally uses progressive tax brackets, so portions of taxable income can be taxed at different rates. This tool applies a simplified annualized estimate based on the selected filing status and standard deduction assumptions. It does not reproduce every IRS withholding-table or Form W-4 calculation.
Social Security and Medicare
Social Security and Medicare are federal payroll taxes commonly known as FICA. This estimate uses standard employee rates of 6.2% for Social Security up to a modeled wage base and 1.45% for Medicare, with an additional Medicare tax threshold simplified by filing status. Actual limits and withholding can change.
State and local income tax
State and local income taxes vary by location and personal circumstances. Select a broad percentage estimate or enter a custom rate. The selected rate is a planning assumption, not a state-specific tax calculation. Local payroll taxes, credits, and state deductions may change the final amount.
Pre-tax and post-tax deductions
Health insurance premiums and eligible retirement contributions may be taken before some taxes are calculated, depending on the benefit and plan. Post-tax deductions are generally subtracted after taxes. Enter your own estimated amounts; this calculator does not determine whether a deduction qualifies for special tax treatment.
Example: estimate a biweekly paycheck
Imagine an employee earning $75,000 per year and receiving 26 paychecks. Gross pay is about $2,884.62 per paycheck before taxes and deductions. The actual take-home amount depends on filing status, withholding elections, benefits, state and local taxes, and other payroll details. Enter your own values above to see an illustrative estimate rather than relying on a generic example.
Paycheck calculator FAQs
What is a paycheck calculator?
A paycheck calculator estimates your net pay after common payroll taxes and deductions. For example, it can help you compare a salary offer, plan a budget, and understand how pay frequency and tax withholding affect the money deposited into your account. Additionally, you can use it to estimate your take-home pay before accepting a new job. As a result, you can make more informed decisions about your income and expenses.
How do I calculate take-home pay?
Start with your gross wages, then subtract applicable federal and payroll taxes. Next, account for state and local tax withholding, along with any pre-tax and post-tax deductions. Additionally, consider how your filing status and pay frequency may affect your estimated take-home pay. However, keep in mind that the final amount depends on your individual tax profile, applicable tax laws, and your employer’s payroll setup.
Is biweekly pay the same as semimonthly pay?
No. Biweekly pay usually means 26 paychecks per year, whereas semimonthly pay usually means 24. Consequently, the amount on each paycheck can differ even when the annual salary is the same, since the number of pay periods varies. Therefore, it is important to consider your pay schedule when estimating your take-home pay and planning your budget.
Tax estimates and hourly pay
Does this paycheck tax calculator calculate every state tax exactly?
No. State and local taxes are estimated using a percentage assumption that you can adjust. However, the calculator does not account for every state’s tax bracket, credits, local tax rules, or specific withholding forms. Therefore, treat these figures as estimates rather than exact amounts. For a more accurate result, check your state and local tax requirements and review your employer’s payroll withholding details.
Why is my take-home pay lower than my salary divided by 12?
Salary divided by 12 is gross monthly pay. In contrast, take-home pay is lower after federal and payroll taxes, state or local withholding, benefit premiums, retirement contributions, and other deductions are subtracted.
Can I use this calculator for hourly wages?
Yes. First, select Hourly pay and enter your hourly rate and typical weekly hours. Additionally, make sure your entries reflect your usual work schedule to get a more useful estimate. Keep in mind, however, that the calculation assumes those hours are paid at the same rate. As a result, overtime, shift differentials, tips, commissions, and irregular work schedules are not automatically included in the estimate.
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We’re planning more tools for common US pay and tax questions. These icon-only tiles are placeholders for calculators that will be added to CalculatBase later.
Tax note: This tool provides a simplified educational estimate and is not tax, legal, or payroll advice. It may not reflect current-year thresholds, all deductions, credits, state rules, or employer-specific withholding methods. Verify results with official tax guidance or a qualified tax professional.