Paycheck Calculator (USA): Gross to Net Take-Home Pay
A paycheck calculator converts annual gross pay into an estimated net paycheck. It includes simplified 2026 federal income tax, employee Social Security and Medicare tax, pre-tax deductions, and an optional flat state tax estimate.
Quick answer
Take-home pay is gross pay minus pre-tax deductions, federal withholding, payroll taxes, state or local taxes, and other deductions. Actual payroll withholding can differ from an annual tax estimate.
At a glance
- What it calculates
- Estimate take-home pay after federal income tax, payroll tax, deductions, and an optional state rate.
- Who it is for
- US employees, hourly workers and small-business payroll administrators checking take-home pay per paycheck.
- Coverage
- United States (federal rules; state and local rules vary)
- Data and assumptions
- Simplified 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, employee Social Security at 6.2% to the wage base, Medicare at 1.45%, plus an optional flat state/local rate.
- Cost
- Free, no signup, calculations run in your browser
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-09
Calculator
How to use this calculator
- Enter annual gross salary and pay frequency.
- Select a filing status.
- Add annual pre-tax deductions and an estimated state/local rate.
- Add any other per-paycheck deductions.
- Review the estimated gross-to-net breakdown.
Explanation
What it is
A paycheck calculator converts annual gross pay into an estimated net paycheck. It includes simplified 2026 federal income tax, employee Social Security and Medicare tax, pre-tax deductions, and an optional flat state tax estimate.
How it works
The calculator annualizes income and deductions, estimates federal tax using 2026 brackets, calculates employee Social Security at 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base and Medicare at 1.45%, then divides by pay frequency.
When to use it
Use it when comparing a job offer, changing pre-tax deductions, or checking whether a pay stub looks right.
Limitations
- Federal tax is estimated annually from brackets rather than from IRS Publication 15-T withholding tables.
- The state field is one flat planning rate; state brackets, allowances and local taxes are not applied.
- Bonuses, supplemental wages, garnishments, year-to-date caps and imputed income are excluded.
Key terms
- Gross pay
- Pay before taxes and deductions.
- Net pay
- Amount remaining after taxes and deductions.
- Pre-tax deduction
- An eligible deduction that may reduce taxable wages.
- FICA
- Payroll taxes funding Social Security and Medicare.
- Withholding
- Tax taken from pay during the year and credited on the tax return.
Formula
The calculator annualizes income and deductions, estimates federal tax using 2026 brackets, calculates employee Social Security at 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base and Medicare at 1.45%, then divides by pay frequency.
Worked example
An $80,000 annual salary paid every two weeks is divided into 26 gross checks, then reduced by estimated federal tax, payroll tax, pre-tax deductions, state tax, and other deductions.
FAQ
How much is $80,000 a year per paycheck?
Before deductions, $80,000 is about $3,077 every two weeks, $3,333 twice monthly, or $6,667 monthly. Net pay depends on taxes and benefits.
Why is my real paycheck different from this estimate?
Payroll systems use Form W-4 information, benefit rules, state and local formulas, year-to-date wages, supplemental pay rules, and rounding. This calculator uses simplified annual estimates.
What is the Social Security tax rate for employees?
The employee rate is 6.2% up to the annual taxable wage base. For 2025, the Social Security Administration lists a wage base of $176,100.
What is the Medicare tax rate?
The standard employee Medicare rate is 1.45% with no ordinary wage cap. An additional 0.9% may apply above statutory thresholds.
Are 401(k) contributions always exempt from payroll tax?
Traditional 401(k) deferrals generally reduce federal taxable income but usually remain subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. Other deductions may be treated differently.
Does this calculate exact state tax?
No. The state field is a flat planning percentage. State and local withholding rules vary and may include allowances, brackets, credits, and special taxes.
What is a payroll calculator?
A payroll calculator converts gross wages into net pay by subtracting federal income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare tax, pre-tax deductions and any state or local tax. This page estimates the same result for a single employee using annualised figures.
How do I calculate net salary in the USA?
Start with annual gross pay, subtract pre-tax deductions, apply federal income tax for your filing status, subtract Social Security at 6.2% up to the wage base and Medicare at 1.45%, then subtract state and local tax. Divide the remainder by the number of pay periods.
How much is $60,000 a year per paycheck?
Before deductions, $60,000 is about $2,308 every two weeks, $2,500 twice monthly, or $5,000 monthly. Take-home pay is typically 20% to 30% lower once federal, payroll and state taxes are withheld.
Common mistakes
- Expecting an annual estimate to match payroll withholding exactly.
- Ignoring local taxes and benefit rules.
- Treating all pre-tax deductions the same for payroll tax.
- Forgetting bonuses and supplemental wages.
Tips
- Compare estimates with a real pay stub.
- Update the inputs after benefit elections.
- Check state and local withholding separately.
- Review Form W-4 after major life changes.
Sources and editorial review
Educational estimates only; not personalized financial, tax, legal, lending, investment, or insurance advice.