Take-Home Pay Calculator
Your gross salary is rarely what hits your bank account. This calculator estimates your net take-home pay after federal income tax, FICA, state tax, and pre-tax deductions — so you can budget around the real number.
How this calculator works
We start from gross salary and work down, using 2026 federal tax figures:
- Federal income tax is applied progressively to your taxable income — gross minus pre-tax deductions minus the standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married for 2026) — across the seven federal brackets (10% to 37%).
- FICA is Social Security (6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base) plus Medicare (1.45% on all wages).
- State income tax is applied as a flat rate you provide, since state systems vary widely.
Take-home pay is gross minus all of the above minus your pre-tax deductions (which leave your paycheck but go to your 401(k), HSA, or insurer).
Important simplifications
This is an estimate, not a tax return. It uses the standard deduction (not itemized), treats state tax as a single flat rate, applies FICA to gross wages, and ignores tax credits, additional income, the Medicare surtax on high earners, and local taxes. Your actual withholding and year-end liability will differ.
Learn more
- Where Does Your Paycheck Go? Understanding Take-Home Pay — Gross pay is never what lands in your account. A clear breakdown of federal tax, FICA, state tax, and the pre-tax deductions that shrink — and grow — your money.
- Budgeting 101: A Simple System That Actually Sticks — Budgets fail when they're complicated. Here's a simple, flexible system — the 50/30/20 framework, how to set it up, and how to keep it going.
- Disability Insurance: Protecting Your Biggest Asset — Your Income — Your ability to earn is likely your largest asset, yet few insure it. How disability insurance works, short- vs long-term, and how much coverage to aim for.
- Side Income & Taxes: What Freelancers and Gig Workers Owe — Self-employment income isn't taxed like a paycheck. Quarterly estimates, self-employment tax, deductions, and how to set aside the right amount.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is my take-home so much less than my salary?
- Between federal income tax, the 7.65% FICA payroll tax, state tax, and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health insurance, a meaningful share of gross pay is withheld before you ever see it. The breakdown above shows where each dollar goes.
- Do pre-tax deductions really save money?
- Yes — 401(k), HSA, and pre-tax health premiums reduce your federal (and usually state) taxable income, lowering your tax bill. That's why increasing pre-tax contributions reduces taxes even though it also reduces your cash paycheck.
- Is this accurate for my exact situation?
- It's a solid ballpark, not a precise figure. It uses 2026 brackets and the standard deduction with a flat state rate. For exact withholding, consult your pay stub or a tax professional — especially if you itemize, have multiple income sources, or live somewhere with bracketed state tax.