Paycheck Calculator (All 50 States)
Enter your pay, state and filing status to see what lands in your bank account after federal tax, state tax and FICA.
By Muhammad AhmadUpdated October 2026Free, no sign-up
Results are estimates for planning and learning, not financial, tax or medical advice. Read our editorial policy.
How It Works
This paycheck calculator converts your gross pay per period into an annual figure, subtracts pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions, and then applies the 2026 federal income tax brackets and standard deduction for your filing status. It then adds Social Security, Medicare and an estimated state income tax to show what is left as take-home pay.
Federal income tax is progressive: each slice of taxable income is taxed at its own rate, from 10% up to 37%. The calculator subtracts the standard deduction first, then applies the child tax credit for qualifying children. FICA taxes are flat: 6.2% Social Security up to the annual wage base, and 1.45% Medicare on all wages, plus 0.9% additional Medicare above $200,000 for single filers.
State tax is the least uniform part of a paycheck. Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — have no wage income tax. Others use a flat rate, and many use graduated brackets. To keep the tool simple and fast, we use an estimated effective state rate, which gets you close but will not match a payroll system to the dollar.
Your actual paycheck may also include health insurance premiums, HSA or FSA contributions, local taxes, union dues or garnishments. Use this tool for planning — for example, to compare job offers, check how a 401(k) percentage changes your net pay, or budget around a raise. For exact withholding, complete a new Form W-4 and check the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator.
Formula Explained
Taxable income = annual gross − pre-tax 401(k) − standard deduction
Federal tax = Σ(rate × income in each bracket) − child tax credit
FICA = 6.2% × min(wages, wage base) + 1.45% × wages (+0.9% above threshold)
Net pay = gross − 401(k) − federal − state − FICA, then divided by the number of pay periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is take-home pay calculated?
Start with gross pay, subtract pre-tax deductions, then subtract federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security and Medicare. What remains is your net pay.
Which states have no income tax on wages?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not tax wage income at the state level.
Why does my actual paycheck differ from this estimate?
Employers also withhold for benefits, local taxes and your W-4 choices. State tax here is an estimated effective rate, so small differences are normal.
What is FICA?
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It funds Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) and is split between you and your employer.
Does a 401(k) contribution reduce my taxes?
Traditional 401(k) contributions lower your federal and most state taxable income, but they are still subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.
What is the Social Security wage base for 2026?
The 2026 Social Security wage base is $184,500. Earnings above that amount are not subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax.
How do dependents change my paycheck?
Each qualifying child under 17 can reduce federal tax through the child tax credit. This calculator subtracts $2,200 per child from your annual federal tax.
Can I use this for hourly pay?
Yes. Multiply your hourly rate by hours worked in the pay period and enter that total as gross pay per paycheck.