Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay with this free paycheck calculator. Enter gross pay, pre-tax and post-tax deductions, and your effective tax rate to see net pay.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the steps
How the Paycheck Calculator Works
This calculator estimates your net (take-home) pay for a single pay period. Enter your gross pay, any pre-tax deductions, your effective tax + withholding rate, and any post-tax deductions to see taxes withheld, net pay, and the share of gross you actually keep.
How it works
Pre-tax deductions come out before tax is applied, which lowers your taxable pay:
Taxable pay = gross − pre-tax deductions Taxes withheld = taxable pay × effective rate Net pay = gross − pre-tax − taxes − post-tax deductions
Because tax law uses brackets, wage caps, and allowances, this tool asks for one effective rate you take from a recent pay stub. That keeps it fast and region-neutral while staying close to your real check.
Worked Example
Suppose your period gross is $2,500, you contribute $200 pre-tax to a 401(k), your effective withholding rate is 22%, and you have $50 in post-tax deductions:
- Taxable pay = 2,500 − 200 = $2,300
- Taxes withheld = 2,300 × 22% = $506
- Net pay = 2,500 − 200 − 506 − 50 = $1,744
- Take-home = 1,744 ÷ 2,500 = 69.8% of gross
Reading a Pay Stub
| Line | What it means |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | Earnings before any deductions |
| Pre-tax deductions | 401(k), HSA, some insurance — lowers taxable pay |
| Taxes withheld | Federal, state, Social Security, Medicare |
| Post-tax deductions | Roth 401(k), garnishments, union dues |
| Net pay | The amount actually deposited |
Tips for a More Accurate Estimate
- Pull the rate from a real stub. Sum every tax line and divide by taxable pay to get your true effective rate.
- Match the pay period. Enter gross for the same period the check covers — weekly, biweekly, or monthly.
- Update after life changes. A raise, a new state, or a change to your retirement contribution all shift your take-home pay.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my take-home pay?+
Start with gross pay, subtract pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health insurance, apply your effective tax and withholding rate to what remains, then subtract any post-tax deductions. The result is your net, take-home pay.
What is the difference between gross and net pay?+
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay, or take-home pay, is what lands in your bank account after taxes, retirement contributions, insurance, and other deductions are removed.
What effective tax rate should I enter?+
Use your combined withholding rate from a recent pay stub: add federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare withholding, then divide by taxable pay. For many US workers this lands somewhere between 18% and 30%.
Are pre-tax deductions really tax-free?+
Pre-tax deductions such as traditional 401(k), HSA, and many health premiums lower the income that is taxed, so you pay tax on a smaller amount. They are still your money set aside, just not currently taxed.
Why is this an estimate and not exact?+
Exact paychecks depend on graduated tax brackets, wage caps on Social Security, local taxes, and allowances on your W-4. This tool uses a single effective rate you supply, which is ideal for quick planning rather than legal precision.