Paycheck Take-Home Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay. Enter your gross salary, pay frequency, tax rates, and pre-tax deductions for an approximate net paycheck. This is a rough estimate, not exact payroll withholding.
Where your paycheck goes
How you compare
💵 Run payroll with trusted software
Check it outWhere your paycheck goes
Take-home pay is your gross minus FICA (Social Security at 6.2% up to the wage base, plus Medicare at 1.45%), federal and state income tax, and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) or health premiums. This uses simple estimated rates for a quick approximation — your real withholding depends on brackets, filing status, and allowances, so treat it as a ballpark and check a pay stub for exact figures.
How it’s calculated
Take-home = gross − FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the wage base + 1.45% Medicare) − federal tax − state tax − pre-tax deductions.
Results update as you type and are estimates, not professional advice — verify important decisions with a qualified professional.
Sources: IRS; Social Security Administration; Tax Foundation (state rates).
Worked example
A $60,000 salary, bi-weekly, with $5,000 pre-tax deductions nets roughly $1,600 per paycheck.
Common mistakes
- Using a flat rate as if it were exact withholding.
- Forgetting FICA and pre-tax deductions.
Where it is used
- Estimating your net pay per paycheck.
- Seeing how a raise changes take-home.
Frequently asked questions
Is this my exact paycheck?
No — it uses flat estimated tax rates. Real withholding is based on tax brackets, your W-4, and local taxes. Use it as an approximation.
What is FICA?
Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base) and Medicare (1.45%, no cap). Employers pay a matching share.
Why do pre-tax deductions help?
They lower your taxable income, so you owe less income tax — though the money still leaves your paycheck for that benefit.
Get the free Calculator Pack
One email with our most-used spreadsheets and new calculators. No spam.
Thanks! Check your inbox to confirm. (Demo form — connect to your email tool.)