Take-Home Pay Calculator
See your real net paycheck after federal tax, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare — in seconds.
Estimate only, based on simplified 2025-2026 federal brackets and approximate flat state tax rates. Actual withholding depends on your W-4, local taxes, and employer setup — use this for planning, not tax filing.
How take-home pay is calculated
Take-home pay — also called net pay — is what actually lands in your bank account after every tax and deduction is subtracted from your gross wages. Employers withhold four main things from every paycheck: federal income tax (based on your filing status and IRS tax brackets), state income tax (if your state taxes wages), Social Security tax (a flat 6.2% up to the annual wage base), and Medicare tax (1.45%, plus an extra 0.9% on high earners). On top of that, pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums come out before taxes are calculated, which actually lowers your taxable income.
This calculator estimates each of those pieces using your annual salary or hourly rate, your state, and your filing status, then shows you what's left — both per paycheck and for the full year.
Why your paycheck feels smaller than expected
- Federal withholding is often higher than your actual year-end tax bill, since the IRS tables assume a full year of the same income.
- Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — don't tax wages at all, which meaningfully changes your net pay versus a high-tax state.
- 401(k) contributions reduce your take-home pay today but aren't taxed until retirement withdrawal — and they still count toward Social Security and Medicare.
Frequently asked questions
How is take-home pay calculated?
Take-home pay is your gross wages minus federal income tax, state income tax (if applicable), Social Security tax (6.2%), Medicare tax (1.45%+), and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions or health insurance premiums.
Why is my paycheck less than my salary divided by pay periods?
Your paycheck is reduced by federal and state withholding taxes, FICA taxes, and any pre-tax benefit deductions your employer withholds before you're paid.
Do all states have income tax?
No. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not tax wage income.