💵 Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your estimated take-home pay after federal taxes and payroll deductions.
🇺🇸 United States · Tax Year 2026How Does a Paycheck Calculator Work?
A Paycheck Calculator helps employees estimate how much money they will receive after taxes and other paycheck deductions. It calculates your estimated take-home pay using your gross earnings, pay frequency, filing status and applicable deductions.
Our US Paycheck Calculator helps you understand federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and estimated state income tax. You can use it to plan your monthly budget and understand how much of your salary you may actually receive.
How to Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
Take-home pay, also known as net pay, is the amount remaining after applicable taxes and deductions are subtracted from your gross earnings. A paycheck calculation generally follows these steps:
1. Calculate Gross Pay
Gross pay is your total earnings before taxes and deductions. It depends on your salary and the number of pay periods in a year.
2. Subtract Pre-Tax Deductions
Eligible deductions, such as certain retirement contributions and health insurance premiums, may reduce taxable wages. Their tax treatment depends on the applicable rules.
3. Estimate Federal Income Tax
Federal income tax is estimated using your annualized taxable income, filing status, applicable tax brackets and standard deduction.
4. Calculate Payroll Taxes
Social Security and Medicare taxes are calculated using applicable employee payroll tax rates and wage limits.
5. Estimate State Income Tax
State income tax is estimated using the percentage you enter into the calculator.
6. Calculate Net Pay
After subtracting the estimated taxes, deductions and additional withholding, the remaining amount is your estimated take-home pay.
Paycheck Calculation Formula
Net Pay = Gross Pay − Pre-Tax Deductions − Federal Income Tax − Social Security − Medicare − State Tax − Additional Withholding
This formula provides a simplified estimate. Actual payroll calculations may include additional deductions and adjustments.
Understanding Paycheck Deductions
Your paycheck may include several types of taxes and deductions. Understanding these amounts can help you evaluate your salary and estimate your actual earnings.
Federal Income Tax
Federal income tax is imposed by the US federal government. The amount generally depends on taxable income, filing status and applicable tax brackets. The calculator estimates this tax using annualized income and the standard deduction.
Social Security Tax
Social Security tax helps fund retirement, survivor and disability benefits. Employees generally contribute 6.2% of covered wages up to the applicable annual wage base.
Medicare Tax
Medicare tax helps fund the Medicare healthcare programme. The standard employee Medicare tax rate is 1.45% of covered wages. Additional Medicare Tax may apply to wages above the applicable threshold.
State Income Tax
State income tax varies depending on where you work and your individual circumstances. Some states do not impose a general individual income tax. Enter an estimated rate in the state tax field to include it in your calculation.
Pre-Tax Deductions
Certain eligible deductions, including qualifying retirement contributions and health insurance premiums, may reduce taxable wages. The treatment depends on the type of benefit and applicable tax rules.
Gross Pay vs. Net Pay: What Is the Difference?
Gross Pay: The total amount an employee earns before taxes and deductions.
Net Pay: The amount an employee receives after applicable taxes and deductions.
For example, an employee earning an annual salary of $75,000 does not necessarily receive $75,000 in their bank account. Federal taxes, payroll taxes, state taxes and other deductions can reduce the actual amount received.
Understanding Different Pay Frequencies
Employers may pay employees weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly. Your pay frequency affects the amount received in each paycheck, even when your annual salary remains the same.
- Weekly: 52 paychecks per year.
- Biweekly: 26 paychecks per year.
- Semimonthly: 24 paychecks per year.
- Monthly: 12 paychecks per year.
- Annual: One annual payment for calculation purposes.
How to Use Our Paycheck Calculator
Follow these simple steps to estimate your US take-home pay:
- Enter your gross salary or paycheck amount.
- Select your payment frequency.
- Choose your federal tax filing status.
- Enter your estimated state income tax rate.
- Add any applicable pre-tax deductions per paycheck.
- Enter additional federal withholding if applicable.
- Select the Additional Medicare Tax option when relevant.
- Click Calculate My Paycheck to view your estimated results.
The calculator displays estimated net pay per paycheck, annual take-home pay, federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax, along with an annual deduction breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paycheck Calculators
What is a paycheck calculator?
A paycheck calculator is an online tool that estimates an employee's take-home pay after applicable taxes and deductions. It helps you understand the difference between gross salary and net income.
How do I calculate my take-home pay?
Start with your gross earnings and subtract applicable pre-tax deductions, federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and additional withholding. The remaining amount is your estimated net pay.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your earnings before deductions, whereas net pay is the amount remaining after applicable taxes and deductions are subtracted.
How much tax is deducted from a paycheck?
The amount depends on your income, filing status, payroll tax obligations, state tax rate, deductions and withholding elections. There is no single tax percentage that applies to every employee.
Does this paycheck calculator include Social Security and Medicare?
Yes. This calculator estimates employee Social Security and Medicare taxes using the rates and wage limits programmed for the 2026 tax year.
Can I calculate weekly and biweekly paychecks?
Yes. You can select weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly or annual payment frequency to estimate your earnings for the selected pay period.
Is this paycheck calculator accurate?
The calculator provides an estimate based on the information entered and simplified tax assumptions. Actual paycheck withholding may differ depending on your Form W-4, employer payroll methods, state rules, benefits and individual circumstances.