Paycheck Calculator
The US Paycheck Calculator shows your net take-home pay for any pay period after federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and an estimated state tax. Select your pay period and filing status, enter your gross pay, and see a complete pay stub breakdown instantly.
Educational estimate. Calculator results are for planning and information only, not financial, tax, medical, legal, or engineering advice. Verify important decisions with official sources or a qualified professional.
Paycheck Calculator
US Take-Home Pay by Pay Period
📐 Formula & Method
Federal Income Tax (2026)
Standard deduction: $16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household. Tax brackets use 2026 IRS thresholds.
FICA Taxes (Social Security + Medicare)
FICA is split equally between employer and employee. You pay 6.2% Social Security (capped at the $184,500 wage base in 2026) plus 1.45% Medicare with no wage cap.
📋 How to Use
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1
Select your pay period — how often you receive a paycheck.
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2
Enter your gross pay for that period (before any taxes).
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3
Select your federal filing status (Single or Married Filing Jointly is most common).
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4
Enter your state income tax rate, or 0 if you live in a no-income-tax state.
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5
Click Calculate to see your net take-home pay for the period and annually.
💡 Key Insights
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Your marginal tax rate ≠ your effective tax rate. The marginal rate is what you pay on the next dollar; the effective rate (much lower) is what you actually pay on average.
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FICA (Social Security + Medicare) takes 7.65% off the top of every paycheck up to the Social Security wage base ($184,500 in 2026), then drops to 1.45% above.
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401(k) contributions reduce taxable income — pre-tax contributions effectively give you a discount equal to your marginal rate.
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State taxes vary enormously: 0% in TX, FL, NV, WA, AK, SD, TN, WY, NH (NH on interest/dividends only) versus 13.3% in CA.
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A $100,000 salary in a high-tax state nets roughly the same as $90,000 in a no-tax state — useful when comparing job offers.
🧮 Worked Examples
Biweekly, single, $65k/yr, no state tax
Single filer in Florida earning $2,500 biweekly.
Monthly, married joint, $9,000/mo, CA 9.3%
Married couple in California earning $9,000/month combined.
📊 How to Interpret Your Result
Effective tax under 18%
Lower-to-middle income with standard deductions. Plenty of room for 401(k)/HSA contributions to stay efficient.
Effective tax 18–28%
Solid middle income. Max your 401(k) match and consider a Roth IRA for tax diversification.
Effective tax > 28%
High-income — Traditional 401(k), HSA, and backdoor Roth become valuable. Consult a CPA.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Forgetting Additional Medicare on income above $200k.
Fix: Add 0.9% on wages above $200k (single) or $250k (joint). Our calculator does this automatically.
Mis-entering pay period.
Fix: Hourly assumes 2,080 hours/year; biweekly = 26 periods; semi-monthly = 24 periods.
Skipping state tax for "no state tax" states.
Fix: States like TN and NH still tax interest, dividends, or investment income separately.
🎯 Who This Calculator Is For
New-hire offer comparisons
Convert different pay structures (hourly vs. salary) to a clean monthly take-home figure.
Mortgage shoppers
Use the monthly net to test mortgage affordability against actual cash flow.
Relocation deciders
Compare offers across states with very different state tax burdens.
How US Paycheck Taxes Work
Every US paycheck has several deductions taken out before you receive your net pay. The three mandatory federal deductions are: federal income tax (withheld based on your W-4 filing status and brackets), Social Security tax (6.2% on the first $184,500 of wages in 2026), and Medicare tax (1.45% on all wages). Together, Social Security and Medicare are called FICA taxes.
On top of federal taxes, most states charge state income tax. Rates range from 0% in states like Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, and Wyoming — to over 13% in California. Some states (like Pennsylvania) have a flat rate of 3.07%, while others (like New York) use progressive brackets similar to the federal system.
Your W-4 form tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold. Claiming more allowances or adjustments on your W-4 reduces your withholding (more take-home pay now but potentially a tax bill at year end). Claiming fewer increases withholding (less take-home pay but likely a refund).
Most employees are paid biweekly (26 paychecks/year) or semi-monthly (24 paychecks/year). Hourly workers are often paid weekly. Some months with three biweekly paychecks can feel like a "bonus" — but your annual gross pay and taxes remain the same regardless of pay frequency.
🔬 Methodology & Accuracy
Formula: Annualised gross is bracketed against 2026 US federal tax tables (single/married/HOH). FICA (6.2% SS up to $184,500 + 1.45% Medicare + 0.9% additional Medicare above $200k single) and optional state flat rate are applied separately.
Data sources: IRS 2026 tax inflation adjustments; SSA 2026 taxable maximum; IRS Publication 15 (Employer's Tax Guide).
Last reviewed: June 2026 · Accuracy: Results are precise to two decimal places using IEEE-754 double-precision arithmetic. Intended for educational and planning use only.
For informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the inputs and formulas provided. For financial, tax, medical, or legal decisions, consult a qualified professional. Rates and regulations change — always verify current figures with official sources.
Accuracy & Feedback
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
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