Paycheck Take-Home Pay Calculator
Wondering how much actually lands in your bank account each payday? This calculator estimates your net take-home pay after taxes and deductions. Adjust the numbers to see how pre-tax contributions affect your paycheck.
How it works
Your take-home pay is what remains after taxes and deductions are subtracted from your gross paycheck. First, pre-tax deductions (like 401(k) or health premiums) are removed to find your taxable pay.
Taxes are then applied: Taxable Pay × Effective Tax Rate. Finally, post-tax deductions are subtracted. The formula is: Net = (Gross − Pre-Tax) − Taxes − Post-Tax.
Using a single effective tax rate is a simplification. Real paychecks apply separate federal, state, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) calculations.
Tips
Increasing pre-tax contributions lowers your taxable income, reducing taxes while boosting savings.
Check a recent pay stub to find your true effective tax rate — add up all tax withholdings and divide by your taxable pay.
FAQ
What effective tax rate should I use?
Look at a recent pay stub: add federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare withholdings, then divide by your taxable pay. For many U.S. workers this lands between 18% and 30%.
Are pre-tax deductions really tax-free?
Pre-tax deductions like traditional 401(k) and health premiums reduce your taxable income, so you don't pay income tax on them now. Some still count for Social Security and Medicare.
Why is my real paycheck different?
This tool uses one blended tax rate, while actual payroll applies tiered brackets and separate FICA taxes. Use it as an estimate, not an exact figure.