US Paycheck Calculator – Take-Home Pay Estimate

Pay Details

Annual salary

Hours per week

Pay frequency

Filing status

State & local income tax (%)

Flat estimate of your state tax. Use 0 for states with no income tax

401(k) contribution (%)

Pre-tax. Lowers income tax but not Social Security or Medicare

Health insurance per paycheck

Pre-tax premium taken from each paycheck

Take-Home Pay per Paycheck

$ 0.00

Formula: Net = Gross − federal tax − Social Security − Medicare − state tax − pre-tax deductions

How the Paycheck Calculator Works

Enter your salary (or hourly wage and weekly hours), how often you are paid and your filing status. The calculator takes out federal income tax using the 2026 tax brackets and the standard deduction, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), an estimate of your state income tax, and any pre-tax 401(k) and health insurance deductions. What is left is your estimated take-home pay for each paycheck and for the year.

Paycheck Formulas (2026)

Net pay = Gross − Federal tax − Social Security − Medicare − State tax − Pre-tax deductions

Item	How it is calculated	Detail
Federal income tax	Progressive brackets on (gross − pre-tax deductions − standard deduction)	Standard deduction 2026: 16,100 single, 32,200 married filing jointly, 24,150 head of household
Social Security	6.2% of gross pay (after health premiums)	Stops at the 2026 wage base of 184,500 a year
Medicare	1.45% of gross pay (after health premiums)	No cap. An extra 0.9% is withheld above 200,000 of wages for every filing status (the return threshold is 250,000 for married filing jointly)
State & local tax	Your flat rate × (gross − pre-tax deductions)	An estimate: real state tax systems have brackets and local rules
401(k)	Your % × gross pay, limited to the 2026 employee limit of 24,500 a year and to your pay after health premiums	Reduces income tax; Social Security and Medicare still apply. The age-50 catch-up is not included

2026 Federal Tax Brackets (Taxable Income)

Rate	Single	Married filing jointly	Head of household
10%	up to 12,400	up to 24,800	up to 17,700
12%	up to 50,400	up to 100,800	up to 67,450
22%	up to 105,700	up to 211,400	up to 105,700
24%	up to 201,775	up to 403,550	up to 201,750
32%	up to 256,225	up to 512,450	up to 256,200
35%	up to 640,600	up to 768,700	up to 640,600
37%	over 640,600	over 768,700	over 640,600

Figures are from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and the Social Security Administration. Each rate applies only to the slice of income inside its bracket. This is an estimate of withholding: it does not include tax credits, other income, extra W-4 withholding, local payroll taxes or state disability and unemployment premiums. To compare against an hourly wage, try the Hourly to Salary Calculator; to plan retirement saving, use the 401(k) Calculator; and for the tax on a purchase, use the US Sales Tax Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is take-home pay calculated?

Start with gross pay, subtract pre-tax deductions such as a 401(k) and health premiums, then subtract federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax. Federal income tax is progressive, so each rate applies only to the slice of income in its bracket.

What are FICA taxes?

FICA is the payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare. Employees pay 6.2% for Social Security (on wages up to 184,500 in 2026) and 1.45% for Medicare with no cap, plus 0.9% extra Medicare tax on wages above 200,000. Employers start withholding the extra 0.9% at 200,000 whatever your filing status; the final threshold on your return is 250,000 for married couples filing jointly, so any difference is settled when you file. Your employer pays a matching share of the regular 6.2% and 1.45%.

Why does my real paycheck differ from this estimate?

Your employer withholds tax based on your W-4 form, which may include credits, extra withholding or other income. State and local taxes vary, and other deductions such as union dues or a Roth 401(k) change the result. The final tax bill is settled when you file your return.

Does a 401(k) contribution reduce my taxes?

A traditional 401(k) contribution is taken out before income tax, so it lowers your federal and most state income tax. It does not reduce Social Security or Medicare tax. A Roth 401(k) is taxed now, so it does not lower your paycheck tax.

Which states have no income tax?

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state tax on wages, and New Hampshire (which stopped taxing interest and dividends on 1 January 2025) have no state tax on wages. Enter 0 in the state box for these. Some cities and counties still charge local income tax.

Financial Disclaimer

The purpose of this calculator is to provide estimates for convenience. It is not tax advice and does not replace a payslip or a tax return. Tax law changes, and your own situation (credits, other income, withholding choices) will change the result. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice.