Monthly Budget Calculator
Free monthly budget calculator: enter your income and expenses by category to see what's left over each month and your savings rate. Spot overspending fast.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the steps
How the Budget Calculator Works
This calculator gives you a one-screen view of your monthly money flow. Enter your take-home income and your spending across six common categories, and it instantly shows your total expenses, what is left over, and your savings rate.
How it works
The math is simple subtraction, but the structure is what makes a budget useful:
Total expenses = housing + transport + food + utilities + debt + other Leftover = income − total expenses Savings rate = leftover ÷ income × 100
A positive leftover is money you can save or invest. A negative result, shown in red, means you are spending more than you bring home.
Worked Example
Suppose your monthly take-home pay is $4,000 with these expenses:
- Housing $1,300, Transport $400, Food $600, Utilities $300, Debt $250, Other $450
- Total expenses = $3,300
- Leftover = 4,000 − 3,300 = $700
- Savings rate = 700 ÷ 4,000 = 17.5%
Typical Category Targets
These ranges, as a share of take-home pay, are a useful sanity check:
| Category | Typical share |
|---|---|
| Housing | 25%–35% |
| Transportation | 10%–15% |
| Food | 10%–15% |
| Utilities & bills | 5%–10% |
| Debt payments | 0%–15% |
| Savings | 15%–20%+ |
Turning the Number into a Plan
- Pay yourself first. Treat your target savings as a fixed expense, not whatever is left at month-end.
- Attack the biggest line. Housing and transport usually offer the largest dollar savings.
- Re-run after any change. A raise, a move, or a new subscription all change the picture — update the inputs and watch your savings rate respond.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a monthly budget?+
List your monthly take-home income, then list every expense grouped into categories such as housing, transport, food, utilities, debt, and lifestyle. Subtract total expenses from income; a positive number is what you can save, a negative number means you are overspending.
What is a good savings rate?+
A savings rate of 20% or more of take-home pay is widely considered strong, and 10% to 15% is a solid starting point. The higher your rate, the faster you build an emergency fund and reach long-term goals.
What if my budget comes out negative?+
A negative leftover means your expenses exceed your income, so you are relying on savings or debt to cover the gap. Trim flexible categories first, such as lifestyle and food, then revisit fixed costs like housing and transportation.
Should I budget with gross or take-home income?+
Budget with take-home (net) pay, the amount that actually reaches your account after taxes and deductions. Budgeting with gross pay overstates what you have available and leads to shortfalls.
How often should I update my budget?+
Review your budget monthly and adjust whenever your income or major expenses change. Most spending categories drift over time, so a quick monthly check keeps your plan realistic.