Finance & Money
Paycheck Calculator
Use this paycheck calculator as a planning estimate for net pay. Enter your own withholding rates for a transparent, adjustable result.
Estimated take-home pay
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- Estimated taxes
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- FICA estimate
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- Other deductions
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Student quick launch
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Study path
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What this paycheck calculator solves
Gross pay is what your employer agrees to pay; take-home (net) pay is what actually lands in your account. This calculator estimates the gap for a single pay period using four inputs: gross pay, a federal withholding rate, a state/local withholding rate, and other deductions such as health premiums or retirement contributions.
The formula
FICA covers Social Security and Medicare and is estimated here at the common combined employee rate of 7.65% of gross wages below the Social Security wage limit. Federal and state amounts use the flat rates you enter, applied to gross pay.
Where a paycheck goes
| Line item | How it is estimated here | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FICA | Gross pay x 7.65% | Social Security portion stops above an annual wage cap; high earners may owe extra Medicare tax |
| Federal withholding | Gross pay x your entered rate | Real withholding follows your W-4 and IRS tables; use an effective rate from a recent paystub |
| State/local withholding | Gross pay x your entered rate | Varies widely; some states have no wage income tax |
| Other deductions | Flat dollar amount you enter | Insurance, 401(k), HSA, union dues — pre-tax vs. post-tax treatment differs in real payroll |
Reading your own paystub
Take a recent paystub. Divide the federal tax withheld by gross pay to get your personal effective federal withholding rate; do the same for state. Enter those rates plus your recurring deductions, and this calculator should land close to your actual net pay — then use it to preview a raise or a deduction change.
One common surprise: withholding is not your final tax. If your employer withholds more than you owe for the year, you get a refund at filing time; withhold less, and you owe. This calculator models the paycheck, not the annual reconciliation — pair it with the income tax estimator for the yearly view.
How to use it
- Enter gross pay for one paycheck.
- Enter withholding rates from your paystub or estimate.
- Add recurring deductions such as benefits or retirement contributions.
How to read the answer
The take-home estimate shows what remains after the entered taxes and deductions.
Common mistakes and edge cases
- Federal tax is progressive; this simple version uses your chosen effective withholding rate.
- Pre-tax and post-tax deductions can affect taxes differently.
- Bonus checks may use different withholding.
Worked examples
Biweekly paycheck estimate
Estimated take-home pay
$1,758.75
No state tax estimate
Estimated take-home pay
$1,407.30
Frequently asked questions
Is this a tax filing calculator?+
No. It estimates paycheck withholding using rates you enter.
Why is FICA included?+
Most U.S. wage paychecks include Social Security and Medicare withholding, commonly estimated at 7.65% below wage limits.
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Last updated: May 8, 2026