Paycheck Calculator – Estimate Your Net Take-Home Pay
Our free paycheck calculator helps you estimate your net take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state income tax withholdings. Simply enter your gross pay, filing status, and deductions to see a detailed breakdown of every dollar withheld from your paycheck. Whether you're starting a new job, adjusting your W-4, or planning your budget, this tool gives you a clear picture of your actual earnings.
Enter your gross pay before any deductions.
How often do you receive your paycheck?
Your federal tax filing status affects withholding amounts.
Number of allowances claimed on your W-4 (older W-4 style).
Any extra amount you want withheld for federal taxes each period.
Enter your state's flat or effective income tax rate. Use 0 if your state has no income tax.
Total pre-tax deductions per pay period (e.g. 401k contributions, health insurance premiums, FSA/HSA).
Total post-tax deductions per pay period (e.g. Roth 401k, garnishments, union dues).
Your results will appear here
How to Use This Calculator
1. Enter your gross pay — the amount you earn before any deductions — for the pay period. 2. Select your pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly) to match your employer's pay schedule. 3. Choose your federal filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household) as it appears on your W-4. 4. Enter the number of federal withholding allowances you claim (from your older W-4 form) and any additional flat dollar amount you want withheld. 5. Input your state income tax rate — you can find this on your state's tax authority website or pay stub; enter 0 if you live in a state with no income tax. 6. Add any pre-tax deductions per period such as 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, or HSA/FSA contributions. 7. Add any post-tax deductions such as Roth 401(k), garnishments, or union dues. 8. Click Calculate to instantly see your estimated net take-home pay along with a full breakdown of all deductions.
How Is Your Paycheck Calculated?
Your paycheck starts with your gross pay — your total earnings before any taxes or deductions are taken out. From that amount, several withholdings and deductions are subtracted to arrive at your net pay, which is the amount deposited into your bank account or handed to you as a check.
Federal Income Tax Withholding
Federal income tax is withheld from your paycheck based on the IRS tax brackets, your filing status, and the allowances or adjustments you claim on your W-4 form. The U.S. uses a progressive tax system, meaning different portions of your income are taxed at different rates:
- 10% on the first portion of taxable income
- 12% on the next bracket
- 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and up to 37% for the highest earners
Our calculator uses 2024 IRS withholding tables to annualize your per-period income and compute the appropriate withholding.
FICA Taxes: Social Security and Medicare
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare programs. These are flat-rate taxes applied to most earned income:
- Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to the annual wage base limit ($168,600 in 2024)
- Medicare: 1.45% on all wages, with an additional 0.9% surtax on wages exceeding $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married)
State Income Tax
State income taxes vary widely across the country. Some states like Texas, Florida, and Nevada have no state income tax, while others like California and New York have rates above 9%. Our calculator accepts a flat effective rate so you can customize it for your state.
Pre-Tax Deductions
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable wages before federal and state income taxes are calculated, which lowers your tax bill. Common pre-tax deductions include:
- Traditional 401(k) or 403(b) contributions
- Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums
- Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions
- Dependent care FSA
Post-Tax Deductions
Post-tax deductions are taken after taxes have been calculated and do not reduce your taxable income. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, wage garnishments, and union dues.
Effective Tax Rate vs. Marginal Tax Rate
Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of income (the highest bracket you reach). Your effective tax rate is the average rate you pay across all brackets — it is always lower than your marginal rate and represents the true percentage of your gross pay that goes to taxes.