Use this free paycheck calculator to estimate your real take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax withholding — updated with 2026 IRS tax brackets and FICA limits. No sign-up required.
Pre-tax deductions (optional)
Estimated take-home pay per paycheck
$0.00
What is a paycheck calculator and why it matters
Your salary and your take-home pay are two very different numbers. Between federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and (in most states) state income tax, a meaningful chunk of every paycheck never reaches your bank account. A paycheck calculator estimates exactly how much gets withheld and what actually lands in your account, so you can budget against real numbers instead of your gross salary. This matters most when negotiating a job offer, comparing pay between two states, deciding how much to contribute to a 401(k), or simply figuring out if you can afford a new bill each month.
How this calculator works
Federal income tax is calculated using the official 2026 IRS tax brackets and standard deduction for your filing status — income is taxed progressively, so only the portion of your earnings inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. Social Security tax is withheld at 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, and Medicare is withheld at 1.45% on all wages, with an additional 0.9% on income above $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers). State tax uses a simplified estimated rate for your state rather than a full bracket-by- bracket calculation, since state tax rules vary enormously — treat that figure as a solid ballpark, not an exact number. Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums are subtracted before tax is calculated, which is why increasing them lowers your tax bill even though it also reduces your take-home cash.
Common searches this calculator answers
- How much will my paycheck be after taxes?
- What is my take-home pay per paycheck?
- How much federal tax is withheld from my paycheck?
- What's the Social Security and Medicare tax on my salary?
- How does a 401(k) contribution affect my paycheck?
- Salary to hourly / take-home pay calculator
How to use it
- Enter your gross pay amount and how often you're paid (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, or annually).
- Select your tax filing status and the state you'll be paying taxes in.
- Optionally enter a 401(k) contribution percentage and/or a per-paycheck health insurance premium.
- Click "Calculate take-home pay" to see your estimated net pay along with a full breakdown of federal tax, FICA, state tax, and deductions.
- Adjust your 401(k) percentage to see how it changes both your tax bill and your take-home pay in real time.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this paycheck calculator?
Federal income tax and FICA (Social Security and Medicare) are calculated using official 2026 IRS brackets, standard deductions, and wage base limits. State tax uses a simplified estimated rate rather than a full bracket-by-bracket calculation, so treat the state portion as a ballpark figure, not an exact number.
Does this calculator use my actual W-4 elections?
No. It assumes the standard deduction with no additional W-4 adjustments, credits, or itemized deductions. It's designed for quick planning, not as a replacement for your actual payroll withholding.
Why is my paycheck smaller than gross pay minus taxes?
Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums are subtracted from your paycheck before taxes are calculated, which lowers your taxable income but also reduces your take-home cash beyond just the tax amount.
Does a 401(k) contribution reduce my Social Security and Medicare tax too?
No. Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your federal taxable income but are still subject to Social Security and Medicare (FICA) tax. Only certain benefits like pre-tax health insurance premiums typically reduce both.
What's the Social Security wage base for 2026?
For 2026, Social Security tax applies to the first $184,500 of wages at 6.2%. Earnings above that amount are not subject to Social Security tax for the rest of the year. Medicare tax of 1.45% applies to all wages with no cap.
This tool provides estimates for planning purposes only and is not tax advice. For your exact withholding, consult your pay stub, employer, or a tax professional.
Keywords
paycheck calculator, take home pay calculator, salary calculator, federal tax withholding calculator, FICA calculator, social security tax calculator, medicare tax calculator, state income tax calculator, net pay calculator, 2026 tax brackets calculator, gross to net pay calculator, hourly to salary paycheck calculator
Related searches
- take home pay calculator 2026
- federal tax withholding calculator
- salary after tax calculator
- biweekly paycheck calculator
- net pay calculator by state
- 401k paycheck impact calculator
- social security tax calculator 2026
- how much tax is taken out of my paycheck
