Take-Home Pay Calculator
Estimate net pay after taxes and deductions.
Enter your values
Enter the gross pay per period in $.
Enter the estimated federal tax rate in %.
Enter the state tax rate in %.
Enter the pre-tax deductions (401k, health) in $.
Enter the other post-tax deductions in $.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Net (take-home) pay
- $2,393.20
- FICA (Social Security + Medicare)
- $244.80
- Federal + state tax
- $512.00
- Total deductions & taxes
- $1,106.80
Quick answer
Take-home pay is your gross pay minus federal and FICA taxes, plus any state/local taxes, minus pre-tax deductions like retirement contributions and health premiums.
Net pay = gross - federal tax - FICA - pre-tax deductions - other withholdings
At a glance
| What it does | Estimate net pay after taxes and deductions. |
|---|---|
| Category | Finance |
| Inputs needed | Gross pay per period, Estimated federal tax rate, State tax rate, Pre-tax deductions (401k, health), Other post-tax deductions |
| Main output | Net (take-home) pay |
| Formula | Net pay = gross - federal tax - FICA - pre-tax deductions - other withholdings |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Take-Home Pay Calculator
- 1Enter your gross pay per period and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) or health premiums.
- 2Enter estimated federal and state tax rates (check a recent pay stub for accuracy).
- 3See your estimated net pay after FICA, income tax and other deductions.
Inputs explained
- Gross pay per period($)
- Enter the gross pay per period in $.
- Estimated federal tax rate(%)
- Enter the estimated federal tax rate in %.
- State tax rate(%)
- Enter the state tax rate in %.
- Pre-tax deductions (401k, health)($)
- Enter the pre-tax deductions (401k, health) in $.
- Other post-tax deductions($)
- Enter the other post-tax deductions in $.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Gross pay per period3500 $
- Estimated federal tax rate12 %
- State tax rate4 %
- Pre-tax deductions (401k, health)300 $
- Other post-tax deductions50 $
Results
- Net (take-home) pay$2,393.20
- FICA (Social Security + Medicare)$244.80
- Federal + state tax$512.00
- Total deductions & taxes$1,106.80
Frequently asked questions
Why does this differ from my actual paycheck?
Actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections and tax brackets, which are more precise than a flat estimated rate.
What is FICA?
It's the combined Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) tax, totaling 7.65% for employees.
What do I need to enter into the Take-Home Pay Calculator?
Just 5 values: gross pay per period, estimated federal tax rate, state tax rate, pre-tax deductions (401k, health), other post-tax deductions. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Take-Home Pay Calculator work out the answer?
Take-home pay is your gross pay minus federal and FICA taxes, plus any state/local taxes, minus pre-tax deductions like retirement contributions and health premiums. It applies the formula Net pay = gross - federal tax - FICA - pre-tax deductions - other withholdings and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Take-Home Pay Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.