Paycheck calculator

Gross pay and take-home pay are rarely close, and the gap comes from more than one deduction. This calculator estimates what actually lands in your account per paycheck once federal tax, FICA, pre-tax contributions, and an optional flat state rate come out.

Used when pay type is Salary.

Used when pay type is Hourly.

Health insurance, HSA/FSA, and similar payroll deductions.

How the math works

This is a simplified single-filer estimate, not a paycheck stub. It uses simplified federal tax brackets and a standard deduction, a flat 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare combined, and - if you enter one - a flat state tax rate applied to income after pre-tax deductions. It does not account for tax credits, filing status other than single, local or city taxes, benefit premiums beyond what you enter, or the Social Security wage base cap. Your actual paycheck follows the withholding tables tied to your W-4 elections, which can differ from this estimate in either direction - use this tool to get a general sense of take-home pay, not an exact number for budgeting your next paycheck to the dollar.

What is take-home pay and how is it calculated walks through the same gross-to-net path this calculator estimates, and how does adjusting your W-4 affect your take-home pay explains why your real paycheck may not match this estimate exactly. How does FICA tax work on your paycheck covers the flat 7.65% this tool applies, and what is federal tax withholding and how does it work explains the bracket system behind the federal estimate.

Sources & further reading

This tool is a general educational estimate, not financial, tax, or payroll advice, and it does not reflect your actual W-4 withholding. See our disclaimer.