Free & private

Paycheck Calculator

Estimate your net take-home pay from your gross pay, pay frequency, taxes, FICA, 401k contributions and health insurance — all calculated instantly in your browser.

Your pay details

Choose your pay frequency and enter your numbers.

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22%
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FICA is fixed at 7.65% of gross pay (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare). Real Social Security tax stops once annual wages pass a yearly cap — this simplified calculator does not apply that cap.

$Your paycheck breakdown will appear hereAdd your gross pay and select calculate to see an estimated net pay breakdown.
Estimated net pay per paycheck
$0.00
Gross pay
Pre-tax deductions (401k + health)
Taxable income
Income tax
FICA (7.65%)
Net pay

This is an estimate, not tax advice. Real payroll withholding varies by jurisdiction, filing status, tax credits and employer benefit plans — check your actual pay stub or a tax professional for precise figures.

How to use the paycheck calculator

This free tool estimates your take-home pay from your gross pay. Choose your pay frequency, enter your gross pay per paycheck, adjust the combined tax rate slider, and add any 401k contribution or health insurance deduction. Everything runs locally in your browser, so your pay details are never uploaded or stored.

1. Set your frequency

Choose weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly pay periods.

2. Enter gross pay

Add your gross pay per paycheck, tax rate, 401k and insurance.

3. See your net pay

Get a full breakdown from gross pay down to estimated take-home pay.

Understanding your paycheck breakdown

Net pay is what's left after pre-tax deductions, income tax and FICA are subtracted from gross pay. Pre-tax deductions like 401k contributions and health insurance premiums lower your taxable income before tax is calculated, which is why they're subtracted first.

The calculation order

Gross pay → minus pre-tax deductions → taxable income → minus income tax and FICA → net pay.

What is FICA?

FICA funds Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%), for a combined 7.65% of gross pay in this calculator.

Why your real paycheck differs

Actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections, tax brackets, state and local taxes, and other benefits.

How is net pay calculated?

Pre-tax deductions such as 401k contributions and health insurance are subtracted from gross pay to get taxable income. Income tax and FICA are then calculated and subtracted to reach net pay.

What is FICA?

FICA is 7.65% of gross pay in this calculator, made up of 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare. In real payroll, Social Security tax stops once wages exceed an annual cap, which this simplified tool does not model.

Why is my real paycheck different from this estimate?

Actual withholding depends on your filing status, tax bracket, state and local taxes, benefit elections and other factors that vary by employer and location. This tool uses a single combined tax rate as a simplified estimate.

Is this paycheck calculator free and private?

Yes. It is free to use, and every number you enter is calculated locally in your browser rather than uploaded or stored.

Try another free calculator: Tax Calculator, Hourly to Salary Converter, or Budget Tracker. Browse all online tools.