Paycheck Calculator (Take-Home Pay)
Estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
Net pay per paycheck
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What this calculator covers
Enter your salary or hourly wage and this estimates take-home pay after the three taxes that apply almost everywhere in the US regardless of state: federal income tax (using the 2026 brackets and standard deduction for your filing status), Social Security (6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%, plus an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000 single / $250,000 married).
What it doesn't cover
State and local income tax vary enormously — nine states have none at all, while others reach double digits — so they're intentionally left out rather than guessed at. Your actual paycheck also reflects your specific W-4 elections and any employer benefits beyond the flat pre-tax percentage this tool lets you enter.
Worked example
A single filer earning a $75,000 salary paid biweekly, with no pre-tax deductions: taxable income after the $16,100 standard deduction is $58,900, which comes to $7,670 in federal tax. Social Security is $4,650 (6.2% of $75,000) and Medicare is $1,087.50 (1.45%), for total annual tax of $13,407.50 and take-home pay of $61,592.50/year — about $2,368.94 every two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this different from my actual paycheck?
This estimates federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare only — it does not include state or local income tax (which varies a lot by location, and some states have none), or employer-specific pre-tax benefits like health insurance premiums beyond the simple percentage you enter. Your actual paycheck also depends on your W-4 elections, which this doesn't model.
What tax year does this use?
The 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deduction, as released by the IRS.
What does the "pre-tax deductions" field do?
It reduces the income federal tax is calculated on — this models something like a traditional 401(k) contribution. It's applied before the standard deduction. Note that a traditional 401(k) reduces federal taxable income but not Social Security/Medicare wages, which is what this calculator assumes.
What's the Additional Medicare Tax?
An extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies to wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly) — these thresholds are fixed by law and not adjusted for inflation. This calculator applies it automatically once your gross pay crosses the threshold for your filing status.