Take Home Pay Calculator
Turn a salary or hourly wage into an estimated paycheck after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, and the deductions you choose. Built with the 2026 tax figures.
How the Calculator Works
This calculator estimates your paycheck using the 2026 federal tax brackets, the standard deduction for your filing status, and the Social Security and Medicare rates that make up FICA. Social Security is 6.2 percent on wages up to $184,500, and Medicare is 1.45 percent on all wages, with an extra 0.9 percent on very high earnings. Your 401k and any pre tax benefits lower the income that gets taxed. State income tax is applied as the flat rate you enter, since the rules differ in every state.
How to Use It
Choose salary or hourly, then enter your pay. Set your filing status and how often you get paid. If they apply, add a state tax rate, a 401k percentage, and any other pre tax amounts. The result shows your take home per paycheck, your yearly total, and a full breakdown of every tax and deduction.
What Affects Your Take Home Pay
| Factor | Effect on your paycheck |
|---|---|
| Higher gross pay | Raises both your taxes and your take home |
| Filing status | Sets your standard deduction and brackets |
| 401k and pre tax benefits | Lower your taxable income, so you keep more |
| State income tax | Lowers take home, and varies by state |
| Pay frequency | Changes the size of each check, not the yearly total |
Treat the result as a close estimate rather than a final number. Your real paycheck depends on the choices on your W-4, any local city taxes, and other items your employer withholds. This is general information, not tax advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is take home pay calculated?
Start with your gross pay, subtract pre tax items like a 401k, then subtract federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any state tax. What is left is your take home, or net, pay.
What is the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross pay is your full wage before anything comes out. Net pay, or take home pay, is what actually reaches your bank account after taxes and deductions.
What is FICA?
FICA is the pair of payroll taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare. Social Security is 6.2 percent up to a yearly wage cap, and Medicare is 1.45 percent on all wages, with a small extra amount on high earners.
Does a 401k lower my taxes?
Yes. A traditional 401k contribution comes out before income tax, so it lowers the pay that gets taxed. You still owe Social Security and Medicare on it, but your federal and state income tax go down.
Why is my paycheck smaller than my salary split evenly?
Because taxes and deductions come out first. Federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, any state tax, and benefits all reduce the gross figure before it becomes your take home pay.
Does this include state taxes?
It applies a flat state rate that you enter, since every state sets its own rules and some have no income tax at all. For an exact figure, check your state tax page or a recent pay stub.