Free Paycheck Calculator — See Your Real Take-Home Pay
Enter your pay, pick your state, and instantly see your federal, state, and FICA withholding for 2026 — no signup, no email required.
Free Paycheck Calculator
Estimated federal and state withholding based on 2026 tax data — actual paycheck may vary.
🗺️ Curious how your paycheck compares in your state?
👉 Explore All 50 State CalculatorsFree, accurate & updated for 2026 tax rates
How to Use This Paycheck Calculator
Our calculator estimates your take-home pay in real time. Follow these four steps to build your tax profile:
Step 1 — Pay Details. Choose Salary or Hourly. Salaried employees enter gross annual income; hourly workers enter rate and average weekly hours.
Step 2 — Pay Frequency. Weekly (52/yr), Biweekly (26/yr), Semi-Monthly (24/yr), or Monthly (12/yr).
Step 3 — Tax Profile. Select your work state, filing status, and dependents to apply the correct 2026 child tax credit.
Step 4 — Advanced Deductions (optional). Add pre-tax 401(k) contributions or health insurance/HSA premiums for a sharper estimate.
How Your Gross Pay Becomes Net Pay
Gross pay is your total earnings before anything is withheld. Net pay is what actually lands in your bank account after federal tax, state tax, FICA, and any benefit deductions.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gross Pay | Total earnings before taxes and deductions |
| Taxable Pay | Gross pay minus eligible pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, FSA, qualifying premiums) |
| Net Pay | Final take-home pay — the amount deposited into your account |
Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax Deductions
Pre-tax deductions — traditional 401(k), HSA, FSA, qualifying health premiums — come out before certain taxes are calculated, lowering your taxable income today. Post-tax deductions — Roth 401(k), union dues, wage garnishments — are withheld after taxes and don't reduce current taxable income.
| Deduction | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional 401(k) | Pre-tax | Reduces federal taxable income — not SS/Medicare wages |
| Health Insurance (Sec. 125) | Pre-tax | Reduces federal, state, SS & Medicare wages |
| HSA / FSA | Pre-tax | Reduces taxable income |
| Roth 401(k) | Post-tax | No current tax break; tax-free qualified withdrawals |
How State & Local Taxes Affect Your Paycheck
Two people earning the same $65,000 salary can take home very different amounts depending on their state:
| State / Group | Est. State Tax | Approx. Annual Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| TX, FL, WA, NV, WY, SD, TN, NH, AK | $0 | ~$53,500 |
| Pennsylvania | ~$1,600 | ~$52,000 |
| Illinois | ~$2,600 | ~$51,000 |
| New York | ~$3,000 | ~$50,500 |
| California | ~$3,500 | ~$50,000 |
Some cities add local income tax on top — New York City, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Cincinnati among them. Because local tax depends on your exact address, always confirm the local-tax line on your pay stub.
Real Example — Meet Sarah
$65,000 salary · Biweekly pay · Texas (no state tax) · Single, 0 dependents · 5% 401(k) + $120/check health insurance.
The math, step by step
$65,000 ÷ 26 pay periods = $2,500 gross per check. Pre-tax deductions (5% 401(k) + $120 insurance) = $245, leaving $2,255 taxable. Annualized and run through the 2026 brackets with the $16,100 standard deduction, federal withholding comes to $186.75 per check. Texas has no state tax, so FICA (6.2% + 1.45%) is the only remaining line: $191.25.
Go Deeper — Full Guides on Every Part of Your Paycheck
The calculator gives you the number. These guides on our blog explain exactly how each line is calculated, in full detail.
How to Fill Out Form W-4 (2026)
Every section explained, including multiple jobs and dependent credits.
Read the guide → Pay StubHow to Read a Pay Stub
What every line means and how to catch payroll errors early.
Read the guide → FICAFICA, Social Security & Medicare Tax 2026
Rates, wage bases, and the Additional Medicare Tax threshold.
Read the guide → Mistakes9 Common Paycheck Calculation Mistakes
The overtime myth, 401(k) misconceptions, and more.
Read the guide → Brackets2026 Federal Tax Brackets, In Full
Every bracket for Single, Joint, and Head of Household.
Read the guide → TroubleshootingWhy Your Paycheck Doesn't Match the Calculator
Local taxes, W-4 settings, and other reasons your check may differ.
Read the guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have no income tax?
Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota, Tennessee, New Hampshire and Alaska currently levy no state income tax on wages.
Is this calculator accurate for my exact paycheck?
It's a close estimate. Your employer's payroll uses your exact W-4, benefits and local setup — see our guide on why your paycheck may differ.
Does a 401(k) contribution reduce every tax?
It lowers federal taxable income, but not Social Security or Medicare wages — those are based on gross pay.
What's the 2026 Social Security wage base?
$184,500. Social Security withholding (6.2%) stops once year-to-date wages pass that amount.
What if I work in a different state than I live in?
Payroll generally withholds based on the state where you physically work, not just your home address — check your state's reciprocity rules.
