Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal and state taxes, payroll taxes, retirement contributions, and health insurance deductions.
Per paycheck deduction
Gross Pay
$2,500.00
Total Deductions
$916.25
Take-Home Pay
$1,583.75
Itemized Deductions
Per Paycheck vs Annual
26 pay periods per year, using single filing status for your estimate.
How to Use
- Enter your gross pay for one paycheck, then choose how often you are paid.
- Select your filing status and adjust the federal and state tax rates to match your situation.
- Review or update Social Security, Medicare, 401(k), and health insurance deductions.
- See itemized deductions, net pay per paycheck, and annualized totals instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What deductions come out of a paycheck?
Most paychecks include federal income tax, state income tax if applicable, Social Security, Medicare, and any voluntary deductions such as 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, or wage garnishments.
Why is my take-home pay lower than my salary suggests?
Your salary or gross pay is the amount earned before deductions. Your take-home pay is what remains after taxes and payroll deductions, so it will always be lower than the headline salary amount.
Does this calculator use exact IRS withholding tables?
No. This paycheck calculator provides an estimate using the tax rates you enter. Actual withholding can differ based on W-4 settings, pretax benefits, local taxes, bonus withholding rules, and wage caps.
Are 401(k) contributions taken before taxes?
Traditional 401(k) contributions typically reduce taxable income for federal and often state income taxes, but they still generally remain subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. This calculator keeps the math simple and shows the deduction separately as an estimate.
How many paychecks are in a year?
A weekly schedule usually has 52 pay periods, biweekly has 26, semi-monthly has 24, monthly has 12, and annual means a single yearly amount. The calculator uses these counts to annualize your results.