💵 Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your net take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Supports weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, monthly, and annual pay.
Last Updated: July 10, 2026
Enter Your Pay Details
Enter the gross amount for ONE pay period (matching the frequency below).
Your Take-Home Pay
| Item | Annual | Per Paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $0 | $0 |
| Pre-Tax Deductions (401k + Health) | $0 | $0 |
| Taxable Income | $0 | $0 |
| Federal Income Tax | $0 | $0 |
| FICA (Social Security + Medicare) | $0 | $0 |
| Net (Take-Home) Pay | $0 | $0 |
📊 Approximate 2026 Federal Tax Brackets (Illustrative)
| Bracket | Single | Married Filing Jointly (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 | $0 – $23,850 |
| 12% | $11,925 – $48,475 | $23,850 – $96,950 |
| 22% | $48,475 – $103,350 | $96,950 – $206,700 |
| 24% | $103,350 – $197,300 | $206,700 – $394,600 |
| 32% | $197,300 – $250,525 | $394,600 – $501,050 |
| 35% | $250,525 – $626,350 | $501,050 – $1,252,700 |
| 37% | Over $626,350 | Over $1,252,700 |
⚠️ Illustrative Figures Only
These brackets are approximate, illustrative 2026 figures for estimation purposes only — they are not official IRS numbers. Always verify current tax brackets, the Social Security wage base, and Additional Medicare Tax thresholds at irs.gov before making financial decisions. State and local income taxes are not included.
💡 How Take-Home Pay Is Calculated
Step 1: Annualize Gross Pay
Annual Gross = Pay Per Period × Pay Periods Per Year (52 weekly, 26 biweekly, 24 semi-monthly, 12 monthly, 1 annual).
Step 2: Subtract Pre-Tax Deductions
Taxable Income = Annual Gross − 401(k) Contribution − Annual Health Insurance Deduction.
Step 3: Apply Federal Tax Brackets
Federal tax is calculated progressively — each bracket's rate applies only to the income within that bracket, not your whole income.
Step 4: Subtract FICA
Social Security: 6.2% up to the annual wage base (~$176,100). Medicare: 1.45%, plus an Additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (married).
Step 5: Convert Back to Your Pay Frequency
Net Annual Pay ÷ Pay Periods Per Year = your take-home pay per paycheck.
💡 Real-World Examples & Use Cases
Three verified examples showing the full gross-to-net calculation.
$60,000/yr, biweekly, single, 5% 401(k), $100/period health
Taxable income = $60,000 − $3,000 (401k) − $2,600 (health) = $54,400.
Result: Federal tax $6,882.00 + FICA $4,161.60 → Net annual $43,356.40 → $1,667.55 per biweekly paycheck.
$90,000/yr, monthly, married, 6% 401(k), $150/mo health
Taxable income = $90,000 − $5,400 (401k) − $1,800 (health) = $82,800.
Result: Federal tax $9,459.00 + FICA $6,334.20 → Net annual $67,006.80 → $5,583.90 per month.
$45,000/yr, weekly, single, 3% 401(k), $50/wk health
Taxable income = $45,000 − $1,350 (401k) − $2,600 (health) = $41,050.
Result: Federal tax $4,687.50 + FICA $3,140.33 → Net annual $33,222.18 → $638.89 per week.
🔍 People Also Ask
How much of my paycheck goes to taxes?
For most middle-income earners, federal income tax plus FICA (7.65% combined Social Security and Medicare) typically takes 15–25% of gross pay, depending on income and filing status.
Why is my first paycheck smaller than expected?
Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health insurance, plus tax withholding, reduce gross pay to net pay. This calculator shows exactly where each dollar goes.
Does overtime pay get taxed differently?
No — overtime pay is taxed at the same marginal rates as regular income. It may just push more of your income into a higher bracket.
How can I increase my take-home pay?
Reducing pre-tax deductions increases immediate take-home pay but reduces retirement savings and taxable-income benefits. Adjusting your W-4 withholding can also change your paycheck size (but not your total annual tax owed).
⚠️ Common Mistakes & Pro Tips
- Forgetting state tax: This tool covers federal tax + FICA only — your actual take-home pay will be lower if your state has income tax.
- Confusing marginal and effective rates: Your top bracket rate doesn't apply to all your income — only the portion within that bracket.
- Ignoring the Social Security wage base: High earners stop paying Social Security tax once wages exceed the annual wage base — don't assume 6.2% applies to every dollar.
- Entering annual pay for a per-period field: Make sure the gross pay amount matches your selected pay frequency, or the result will be wrong.
- Not verifying with a payroll professional: Use this as an estimate only — for exact withholding, consult your employer's payroll department or a tax professional.