Paycheck Calculator
Estimate net paycheck after deductions.
Input
Result
What is a Paycheck Calculator?
A Paycheck Calculator estimates your take-home pay after all withholdings and deductions. By entering your gross pay, filing status, and pay frequency, you can see exactly how much hits your bank account each pay period.
How to calculate take-home pay manually (the formula)
Start with your gross pay. Subtract federal income tax (based on tax brackets), Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), state and local taxes, and any pre-tax deductions like health insurance or 401(k) contributions.
Net Pay = Gross Pay − (Federal Tax + FICA + State Tax + Other Deductions)
Example calculation
Gross pay: $2,000 per week
Federal tax (12% bracket): $240
Social Security (6.2%): $124
Medicare (1.45%): $29
State tax (5%): $100
Health insurance: $50
Net Pay = $2,000 − ($240 + $124 + $29 + $100 + $50) = $1,457
Common mistakes
- Using salary instead of gross pay per period — Divide your annual salary by the number of pay periods in a year (e.g., 26 for bi-weekly) to get your gross pay per check.
- Forgetting pre-tax deductions — Health insurance and retirement contributions reduce your taxable income. Subtracting them after calculating tax overstates your withholding.
- Ignoring state and local taxes — Some states and cities have their own income taxes that can significantly reduce your take-home pay.
- Assuming a flat tax rate — The US uses marginal brackets. Your entire income is not taxed at your highest bracket rate, only the portion above each threshold.
Frequently asked questions
What is a paycheck calculator?
A paycheck calculator estimates your take-home pay after federal, state, and local taxes as well as deductions like Social Security, Medicare, and health insurance premiums.
What deductions are typically taken from a paycheck?
Common deductions include federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state and local taxes, health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and wage garnishments if applicable.
How is federal income tax calculated?
Federal income tax uses marginal tax brackets. Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. Your employer uses the withholding tables from the IRS to determine how much to take out.
What is FICA?
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It funds Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Both you and your employer pay these amounts on your wages.
How do W-4 allowances affect my paycheck?
Your W-4 tells your employer how much tax to withhold. More allowances mean less tax taken from each check, but you may owe money at tax time. Fewer allowances mean more withholding and a potential refund.
Why does my paycheck vary between pay periods?
Variations can happen due to overtime, bonuses, commission, changes in tax withholding, benefit deductions, or hitting Social Security wage caps for the year.