How is take-home pay calculated?

Gross pay per period minus estimated federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and optional pretax 401k. State and local tax are not included.

Does this paycheck calculator include state tax?

No. State income tax is shown as not included so the estimate stays conservative for high-tax states and closer for states with no income tax.

How does a 401k contribution change my paycheck?

Pretax 401k lowers taxable income for the federal estimate and reduces net pay by the contribution amount. It does not reduce Social Security or Medicare in this estimate.

Why doesn’t this match my pay stub?

Stubs include state and local tax, extra withholdings, benefits, and after-tax deductions this estimate skips. Treat a mismatch as expected, not an error in your stub.

Can I use this net for a mortgage DTI?

No. Lenders use gross income and their own tax treatment. Do not hand this net to a lender as qualifying income.

How do I estimate a biweekly paycheck?

Enter your annual salary (or convert hourly × hours/week × 52), set pay frequency to biweekly (26 checks/year), and include federal filing status, FICA, and any pretax 401k. This tool does not include state or local tax, so high-tax states will net less than shown.

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Paycheck Calculator

Estimate take-home pay from salary, pay frequency, and filing status.

Gross annual salary ($)

Pay frequency

Filing status

Pretax 401k (%) optional

Gross per paycheck

—

Federal withholding

—

Social Security (6.2%)

—

Medicare (1.45%)

—

401k contribution

—

Net pay

—

State tax

Not included

Estimate only, not tax advice. No state tax included. 2026-style federal estimate: SS 6.2% up to $176,100, Medicare 1.45%, standard deduction ~$15,000 single / $30,000 married.

Next step: model retirement withholding choices on Roth vs Traditional or 401(k). As an Amazon Associate, DynDisc earns from qualifying purchases on Picks.

How this paycheck calculator works

Enter gross annual salary, pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly), filing status, and an optional pretax 401(k) percent. The tool estimates federal income tax with a simplified bracket model, Social Security (6.2% up to the wage base), Medicare (1.45%), and the 401(k) contribution. Net pay is gross per period minus those pieces. State and local income tax are intentionally left out.

Figures are educational estimates using 2026-style federal assumptions shown under the results — not tax advice and not a substitute for your payroll provider or a CPA. Extra withholdings, benefits, garnishments, and after-tax deductions are not modeled.

What net pay means (and what it does not)

Net here is take-home for comparing job offers and budgeting a rough monthly cash number. It is not proof of income for a mortgage. Lenders use gross income and their own tax treatment for debt-to-income (DTI). Do not hand this net to a lender as qualifying income; use affordability with gross figures when you are house shopping.

Because state tax is omitted, the estimate is closer in no-income-tax states and more optimistic in high-tax states. If you live in a high-tax state, treat net as an upper bound and subtract a state/local cushion yourself.

401(k), FICA, and why stubs disagree

Pretax 401(k) lowers taxable income for the federal estimate and reduces net by the contribution. In this model it does not reduce Social Security or Medicare. That matches how many stubs treat elective deferrals for FICA, but employer plans differ — always trust the stub.

Stub mismatches are expected: state tax, city tax, HSA, benefits, Roth deferrals, and bonus withholding all move the real number. Use this page to compare two salaries or frequencies side by side, then confirm with HR or a first paycheck.

How to use the verdict

Compare offers on the same frequency. Re-run when the 401(k) percent or filing status changes. For retirement mix questions, pair this with Roth vs Traditional or 401(k). For debt payoff from take-home cash, see debt payoff.

FAQ

How is take-home pay calculated?: Gross pay per period minus estimated federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and optional pretax 401(k). State and local tax are not included.
Does this paycheck calculator include state tax?: No. State income tax is shown as not included so the estimate stays conservative for high-tax states and closer for states with no income tax.
How does a 401(k) contribution change my paycheck?: Pretax 401(k) lowers taxable income for the federal estimate and reduces net pay by the contribution amount. It does not reduce Social Security or Medicare in this estimate.
Why doesn’t this match my pay stub?: Stubs include state and local tax, extra withholdings, benefits, and after-tax deductions this estimate skips. Treat a mismatch as expected, not an error in your stub.
Can I use this net for a mortgage DTI?: No. Lenders use gross income and their own tax treatment. Do not hand this net to a lender as qualifying income.
Weekly vs biweekly — which shows “more” pay?: Annual salary is the same. Biweekly has 26 periods; semimonthly has 24. Pick the frequency that matches your offer letter so the per-period net is apples to apples.
How do I estimate a biweekly paycheck?: Enter your annual salary (or convert hourly × hours/week × 52), set pay frequency to biweekly (26 checks/year), and include federal filing status, FICA, and any pretax 401k. This tool does not include state or local tax, so high-tax states will net less than shown.
Is this tax advice?: No. It is a simplified educational estimate. Filing, withholding elections, and credits belong with your payroll setup or a tax professional.