Paycheck Calculator (2026)

Estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax.

When to use this calculator

Use this calculator when you are weighing a job offer, planning a budget around your real income, or checking what a 401(k) contribution does to your paycheck. It turns a yearly salary into the amount that lands in your bank account each pay period. If your state has an income tax, pick your state page for its specific rules.

How this calculator works

We subtract your 401(k) contribution, then the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly), and apply the 2026 federal brackets (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Social Security is 6.2% up to $184,500 of pay (SSA). Medicare is 1.45%, plus 0.9% on pay above $200,000 ($250,000 married). Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Wyoming and Alaska have no state tax on wages. For other states, enter your state rate.

Step-by-step example

Using these inputs: Annual salary: $60,000; Pay frequency: every 2 weeks; Filing status: single; 401(k): 0%, no state income tax.

At $60,000 a year, paid every two weeks, a single filer in a state with no wage tax keeps about $1,938 per paycheck, or $50,390 for the year. The rest goes to federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.

Tips for a better estimate

• Enter your state tax rate or use your state's page, since state tax can change take-home pay by thousands of dollars a year.
• Test a 401(k) percentage. A traditional contribution lowers your taxable income, so your paycheck drops by less than the amount you save.
• Your real paycheck also depends on your W-4, health insurance and other deductions, so treat the number as an estimate.

FAQ

Is this exact?

No. It is an estimate. It does not include tax credits, extra W-4 withholding, local taxes, health insurance or other deductions.

Why is my real paycheck different?

Employers withhold using your W-4 form and IRS withholding tables, and may take out benefits and other items.

Tax year

Why is my paycheck smaller than salary divided by pay periods?

Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare are withheld from every paycheck, and many people also pay state tax and benefit deductions.

Which states have no income tax on wages?

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not tax wages. See each state page for details.

How often should I recheck my withholding?

After a raise, a new job, marriage, a new child or any big life change. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator on irs.gov is the official tool for adjusting your W-4.

Rates and limits shown are for tax year 2026.

Paycheck calculator by state

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