Paycheck Calculator - Take Home Pay Estimator

To use this paycheck calculator:

1. Enter your gross pay per period (the amount before deductions on each paycheck).
2. Select your pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
3. Adjust the federal tax rate slider to your estimated bracket (default is 22%).
4. Adjust the state tax rate slider based on your state (0% for no-income-tax states).
5. Set your 401(k) contribution percentage (default is 6%).
6. Optionally expand advanced settings to adjust Social Security rate, Medicare rate, and health insurance premium per paycheck.

The calculator instantly displays your deductions breakdown, net pay per paycheck, and annualized gross and net figures.

A paycheck calculator estimates your take-home pay by subtracting common deductions from your gross pay. It accounts for federal income tax, state income tax, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), 401(k) retirement contributions, and health insurance premiums.

Understanding your net pay helps you budget accurately, compare job offers, plan for expenses, and optimize your payroll deductions. This calculator provides a simplified but useful estimate for W-2 employees paid on a regular schedule.

The paycheck calculation uses these formulas:

• 401(k) Deduction = Gross Pay × (401k Rate / 100)
• Taxable Income = Gross Pay − 401(k) Deduction
• Federal Tax = Taxable Income × (Federal Rate / 100)
• State Tax = Taxable Income × (State Rate / 100)
• Social Security = Gross Pay × (SS Rate / 100)
• Medicare = Gross Pay × (Medicare Rate / 100)
• FICA = Social Security + Medicare
• Total Deductions = Federal Tax + State Tax + FICA + 401(k) + Health Insurance
• Net Pay = Gross Pay − Total Deductions

Note: 401(k) reduces taxable income for federal and state taxes but not for FICA calculations.

Example 1: Biweekly gross pay of $3,000, 22% federal, 5% state, 6.2% SS, 1.45% Medicare, 6% 401(k), $0 insurance: 401(k) = $180. Taxable income = $2,820. Federal tax = $620.40. State tax = $141.00. FICA = $229.50. Total deductions = $1,170.90. Net pay = $1,829.10.

Example 2: Monthly gross pay of $8,000 in Texas (0% state tax), 24% federal, 10% 401(k), $200 health insurance: 401(k) = $800. Federal tax = $1,728. FICA = $612. Total deductions = $3,340. Net pay = $4,660.