Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after taxes and deductions.
Enter your salary, pay frequency, and location to get an estimate.
Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay, federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and paycheck deductions in seconds.
Your Pay Details
Your Estimated Results
Paycheck Breakdown
2026 Paycheck Calculator Tax Methodology
Our paycheck calculator uses 2026 federal tax information to provide a simplified estimate of your take-home pay. Enter your annual salary, pay frequency, filing status, and eligible paycheck deductions to estimate your gross pay, federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and other deductions.
This calculator uses the 2026 federal standard deduction amounts and federal marginal tax brackets published by the IRS for an estimate. Social Security is estimated at 6.2% on wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, while Medicare is estimated at 1.45% with no wage base.
Additional Medicare Tax may apply at a 0.9% rate to wages above applicable IRS thresholds. For this simplified estimate, the calculator assumes one employer and uses the $200,000 employer-withholding threshold for Additional Medicare Tax. Actual Additional Medicare Tax liability can depend on filing status and total wages.
The calculator is intentionally an estimate rather than a full Form W-4 payroll withholding worksheet. Traditional 401(k) contributions generally reduce federal income-tax wages but generally remain subject to Social Security and Medicare. Other payroll deductions can have different tax treatment.
State and local income taxes are not currently calculated by this tool. Your actual paycheck may therefore differ from the estimate shown here.
Related Financial Calculators
Explore these related tools for salary, retirement, and personal finance calculations:
- Salary Calculator — compare annual salary and different pay frequencies.
- 401(k) Calculator — estimate retirement contribution growth over time.
- All Financial Calculators — explore the complete DollarSenseUSA calculator collection.
Understanding Your Paycheck
Gross Pay
Your earnings before estimated taxes and other deductions.
Federal Tax
An estimate of federal income tax based on your selected filing status and taxable income.
FICA Taxes
Includes estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Take-Home Pay
The estimated amount remaining after the deductions included in the calculator.
How Our Paycheck Calculator Works
Our paycheck calculator helps you estimate your take-home pay from your annual salary. The calculation uses your selected pay frequency, filing status, and paycheck deductions to produce an estimated paycheck breakdown.
1. Enter Your Salary
Enter your annual salary before taxes. This calculator is designed for annual salary input.
2. Select Pay Frequency
Choose weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly pay.
3. Add Your Deductions
Enter applicable pre-tax deductions, 401(k) contributions, or additional federal withholding.
4. Review Your Estimate
Review estimated gross pay, federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, deductions, and take-home pay.
Paycheck Calculator FAQs
What is a paycheck calculator?
A paycheck calculator is an online tool that estimates how much money you may take home after estimated taxes and paycheck deductions.
How is take-home pay calculated?
Take-home pay is generally estimated by subtracting applicable taxes, retirement contributions, benefits, and other deductions from gross pay.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your earnings before deductions. Net pay, also called take-home pay, is the amount remaining after the deductions included in the calculation.
Does this paycheck calculator include state taxes?
This calculator does not currently calculate state or local income taxes. Actual withholding can therefore vary depending on your state, locality, and individual tax situation.
Can I use this calculator for biweekly pay?
Yes. Select the biweekly option to estimate your earnings for a two-week pay period.
Are the results from this calculator official?
No. The results are estimates for informational purposes only. Your actual paycheck may differ based on your W-4 information, benefits, deductions, tax year, employer payroll settings, and state or local taxes.
Does this calculator use 2026 tax rates?
Yes. The calculator uses 2026 federal standard deduction amounts, federal marginal tax brackets, Social Security wage limits, and Medicare rates for a simplified estimate.
What is the difference between a paycheck calculator and a salary calculator?
A paycheck calculator estimates the amount you may receive for each pay period after estimated taxes and deductions. A salary calculator can be used for salary and pay-frequency calculations.
Paycheck Calculator Disclaimer
This paycheck calculator provides estimates for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not tax, legal, payroll, financial, or accounting advice. Actual paycheck amounts and tax withholding may differ based on your W-4 information, employer payroll system, benefits, deductions, tax year, and state or local taxes. Consult a qualified tax professional or payroll specialist for advice about your individual situation.