Paycheck Calculator
Enter your gross pay per period, any pre-tax deductions, and your own estimated combined tax rate (federal + state + payroll taxes) to estimate your net take-home pay. Since tax rates vary by location and situation, this uses a rate you supply rather than guessing one for you.
How the Paycheck formula works
A straightforward gross-to-net calculation:
Taxable pay = Gross pay − Pre-tax deductions Taxes = Taxable pay × Combined tax rate Net pay = Taxable pay − Taxes − Post-tax deductions
Step-by-step calculation
- Subtract pre-tax deductions (like 401(k) contributions or pre-tax health insurance) from gross pay to get taxable pay.
- Multiply taxable pay by your combined tax rate to estimate total taxes withheld.
- Subtract taxes and any post-tax deductions from taxable pay to get net (take-home) pay.
Worked example
Gross pay of $3,000 per period, $200 in pre-tax 401(k) contributions, and a combined 24% tax rate: Taxable pay = 3,000 − 200 = $2,800. Taxes = 2,800 × 0.24 = $672. Net pay = 2,800 − 672 = $2,128.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need to enter my own tax rate instead of the calculator figuring it out?
Combined federal, state, and local tax rates depend on your income bracket, filing status, state and city of residence, and other personal factors — using a rate you look up or estimate from a recent pay stub gives a more accurate result than a generic assumption.
Where can I find my combined tax rate?
Check a recent pay stub: divide total taxes withheld (federal + state + Social Security + Medicare) by your gross pay for that period to get your actual effective rate.