Paycheck Calculator
Estimate take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA withholding from gross wages and filing status.
What Is a Paycheck Calculator?
A paycheck calculator estimates your net take-home pay after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (FICA) taxes are withheld. It helps employees understand their actual earnings, plan budgets, and verify payroll accuracy.
How Paycheck Withholding Works
When you receive a paycheck, your employer withholds several types of taxes:
- Federal income tax: Based on your W-4 filing status and allowances, applied using progressive tax brackets.
- Social Security tax: 6.2% on wages up to the annual wage base limit.
- Medicare tax: 1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000.
- State income tax: Varies by state; some states have no income tax.
- Pre-tax deductions: 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and FSA contributions reduce your taxable income.
Pay Frequency Impact
Your gross annual salary divided by pay periods gives your gross pay per check. Common pay frequencies are:
- Weekly: 52 pay periods per year
- Bi-weekly: 26 pay periods per year (most common in the US)
- Semi-monthly: 24 pay periods per year
- Monthly: 12 pay periods per year
You might also like our Salary Calculator and Hourly Wage Calculator tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my take-home pay?
Start with your gross pay for the period. Subtract pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance), then apply federal and state income taxes based on your withholding settings. Subtract Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes. The result is your net pay or take-home pay.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions, your salary or hourly rate times hours worked. Net pay (take-home pay) is what you actually receive after all taxes and deductions have been withheld. The difference between the two is the total amount withheld for taxes and benefits.
How can I reduce withholding from my paycheck?
You can adjust your W-4 allowances, increase pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions or Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions, or apply for credits you qualify for such as the child tax credit. Always consult a tax professional before making significant changes to your withholding.
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