Paycheck Calculator
The Paycheck Calculator (US - estimate) shows an expected take-home amount from your gross pay by reflecting typical withholdings and common deductions. It’s helpful when you’re budgeting month to month, weighing a job offer, checking how overtime or a raise might change your net, or planning cash flow before benefits and tax choices kick in.
This tool lets us preview what lands in your bank account per check and across the year so you can make decisions with clear numbers-not guesses. The goal is to remove surprises: dial in assumptions that match your situation, compare scenarios side by side, and move forward knowing how much is truly available for bills, saving, and spending.
Take-home pay from gross. We estimate federal income tax and FICA, then subtract your pre-tax and after-tax deductions to show net pay per paycheck.
We estimate federal withholding and FICA from your gross pay, then subtract your pre-tax and after-tax deductions to show your net paycheck. State and local taxes aren’t included in this estimator.
Gross for selected frequency
This estimator uses progressive federal brackets and the standard deduction for your filing status. State/local taxes and credits (child tax credit, pre-tax transit, etc.) aren’t included. Some pre-tax items reduce FICA when made through a cafeteria plan.
Paycheck Calculation Results interpretation
Net Pay is your estimated take-home per paycheck after federal withholding, Social Security, Medicare, and your deductions. Total Withholding sums federal and FICA. We don’t include state/local tax in this tool, so your actual net may be lower in those jurisdictions.
How to Calculate Paycheck
We annualize your pay, subtract pre-tax deductions, apply the standard deduction, calculate progressive federal tax, and then allocate tax back to each paycheck.
Formulas, assumptions, limitations
Annualization. Salary ÷ periods; hourly uses hours/week × 52 and scales to your pay frequency.
Pre-tax handling. Pre-tax % and $ reduce federal taxable wages. If checked, they also reduce FICA wages (cafeteria-plan style). Otherwise FICA applies to gross.
Federal tax. Taxable income = Annual gross − pre-tax − standard deduction. We apply progressive brackets by filing status and divide by pay periods.
FICA. Social Security = 6.2% up to the annual wage base; Medicare = 1.45% of all FICA wages; Additional Medicare = 0.9% for wages over $200,000.
Net pay. Net = Gross − Pre-tax − Federal − FICA − After-tax deductions.
Limitations. State/local taxes, allowances, credits, and special withholding aren’t modeled.
Use cases & examples: Paycheck
Salary $80,000; biweekly; single; 5% 401(k). With standard deduction, we estimate federal + FICA and show net per paycheck after the 5% pre-tax.
$30/hr, 40 hrs/week, semimonthly; HSA $75 pre-tax (reduces FICA checked). Pre-tax lowers both federal taxable income and FICA wages.
Monthly pay $6,500; married filing jointly; after-tax $120 for benefits. We show withholding and the post-deduction net amount.
Paycheck calculator FAQs
Does this include state or local taxes?
No. This estimator focuses on federal withholding and FICA. Your state or city may withhold additional amounts.
What about allowances or W-4 specifics?
We approximate using the standard deduction for your filing status. W-4 step-down nuances and credits aren’t included.
Do all pre-tax deductions reduce FICA?
No. Some (like HSA via cafeteria plan) can reduce FICA; others (like 401(k)) generally do not. Use the toggle if yours reduces FICA.
Is Additional Medicare included?
Yes, we include the 0.9% employer withholding for wages above $200,000.
Why might my actual paycheck differ?
Employer payroll systems handle state/local taxes, benefits, wage caps timing, and rounding. Treat this as a planning estimate.
Understanding your paycheck
A paycheck is the sum of several moving parts: gross pay for the period, pre-tax deductions, federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any after-tax deductions. Our goal is to make each piece visible so we can adjust contributions or frequency and see the impact instantly.
Gross pay: salary vs hourly
Salary is straightforward: divide the annual figure by the number of pay periods. Hourly pay depends on hours worked; we scale a weekly total into your selected frequency (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
Pre-tax deductions
Pre-tax deductions lower your taxable income for federal purposes and may reduce FICA wages if they’re part of a cafeteria plan. Examples include 401(k) (federal only), HSA (often federal and FICA when payroll-deducted), and commuter benefits (limits apply).
Federal income tax
We compute taxable income by subtracting pre-tax deductions and the standard deduction for your filing status. Then we apply progressive tax brackets and allocate the annual total over your pay periods to estimate per-pay withholding.
FICA basics
- Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to the annual wage base.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, no cap.
- Additional Medicare: 0.9% withheld on wages over $200,000 for the year.
After-tax deductions
These come out after taxes-think post-tax insurance or charitable deductions through payroll. They don’t change your taxable wages; they only reduce the net paycheck.
Dialing in your plan
- Choose a comfortable pay frequency.
- Set retirement contributions and HSA levels that fit your cash flow.
- Revisit withholding after raises or open enrollment.
- Track progress with a savings rate target to convert take-home into long-term goals.
What this tool does not cover
State and local income taxes, credits, wage garnishments, special allowances, and employer-specific rules. For official withholding, your employer’s payroll and your W-4 elections control the final numbers.
Bottom line
When we can see how each lever affects take-home pay, it’s easier to set contributions, plan budgets, and avoid surprises on payday.
Explore more calculators related to Paycheck Income & Taxes
- Salary ↔ Hourly Converter
Convert between annual salary and hourly pay to understand your true earnings.
- Tax Bracket Calculator
Estimate your federal tax bracket to better understand paycheck withholdings.
- Savings Rate Calculator
Calculate your net savings rate based on your take-home income and expenses.