How this paycheck calculator works
- Start with gross pay. Enter an annual salary, or an hourly wage and hours per week — we annualize hourly pay over 52 weeks.
- Subtract your 401(k). A traditional 401(k) contribution is taken out before federal income tax, which lowers your taxable income (it does not lower FICA taxes).
- Apply the 2025 standard deduction and federal brackets for your filing status — $15,000 single, $30,000 married filing jointly, $22,500 head of household — then tax each slice of income at its bracket rate (10% up to 37%).
- Add FICA. Social Security is 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2025 cap); Medicare is 1.45% on all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000.
- Estimate state tax with one simplified flat rate for your state, applied to gross wages. Nine states charge no state income tax on wages at all.
- Divide by your pay frequency — weekly (52), bi-weekly (26), semi-monthly (24) or monthly (12) — to get your estimated take-home pay per paycheck, plus your effective tax rate for the year.
Because the state figure is a simplified flat-rate estimate and real paychecks also reflect local taxes, pre-tax benefits, garnishments and credits, treat every number here as an estimate for planning only — not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this paycheck calculator?
It gives a close estimate using 2025 federal brackets, the standard deduction for your filing status, FICA rates and a simplified flat state tax rate. It does not include local taxes, other deductions such as health insurance or garnishments, or tax credits, so your actual paycheck may differ. Estimate only — not tax advice.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is everything you earn before deductions. Net pay — your take-home pay — is what is left after federal and state income tax, Social Security, Medicare and any 401(k) contribution are taken out.
What are FICA taxes?
FICA is Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $176,100 in 2025) plus Medicare (1.45% on all wages, with an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000). Your employer pays matching amounts on top of yours.
Why is my state tax shown as a flat rate?
To keep the calculator fast and simple, we apply one simplified flat rate to your gross wages for your state. Real state systems use brackets, deductions and credits, so treat the state figure as a rough estimate. Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — have no state income tax on wages.
Does contributing to a 401(k) change my take-home pay?
Yes. A traditional 401(k) contribution comes out of your paycheck before federal income tax, so it lowers your federal taxable income — but it does not reduce Social Security or Medicare tax. Enter your contribution percentage in the calculator to see the effect.