How this paycheck calculator works
Enter your pay, how often you are paid, your filing status and any deductions. The calculator works out your gross pay per paycheck, then subtracts each tax and deduction in the order your employer's payroll system would, so you can see your net take-home pay per paycheck, per month and per year.
What comes out of your paycheck
- Federal income tax — calculated with the 2026 IRS tax brackets and standard deduction for your filing status, less the child tax credit ($2,200 per qualifying child).
- Social Security — 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500.
- Medicare — 1.45% of all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000.
- State income tax — a flat percentage that you enter. Some states have no income tax, so 0% is a valid entry.
- Deductions — 401(k) contributions and other pre-tax items like health insurance lower your taxable pay. Post-tax deductions come out after taxes.
Tips to increase your take-home pay
- Check your W-4. Withholding that is too high gives the IRS an interest-free loan. Too low can mean a tax bill in April.
- Use pre-tax accounts. Traditional 401(k), HSA and FSA contributions lower the income you are taxed on.
- Claim your dependents. The child tax credit directly reduces the federal tax withheld from each paycheck.
Frequently asked questions
How is my take-home pay calculated?
The calculator starts with your gross pay, subtracts pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions, then applies 2026 US federal income tax brackets, Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500) and Medicare (1.45%), plus the flat state rate you enter. Post-tax deductions are taken off last.
Why is my real paycheck different from this estimate?
Employers withhold using your W-4, and your pay stub may include local taxes, benefits, garnishments or credits that are not modeled here. Use this as a close estimate for planning, and use the extra withholding field to match a specific stub.
Do 401(k) contributions lower my taxes?
Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce the wages subject to federal and most state income tax, but not Social Security or Medicare tax. The 2026 employee contribution limit is $24,500, and the calculator caps your contribution at that amount.
What is the additional Medicare tax?
Wages above $200,000 are hit with an extra 0.9% Medicare tax. Employers withhold it once your pay passes that threshold, and the calculator includes it.
Does this work for hourly pay and overtime?
Yes. Switch the pay type to hourly, enter your rate and weekly hours, and add any overtime hours, which are paid at 1.5 times your rate. The calculator annualizes your pay over 52 weeks.