Paycheck Take-Home Estimator
Curious what actually lands in your bank after taxes? Get a quick take-home estimate.
📖 How it works & FAQ⚠️ Rough estimate only — uses 2024 federal brackets + 7.65% FICA and the standard deduction. Ignores state tax, 401(k), and credits. Not tax advice.
What the Paycheck Estimator does
Enter your gross pay and this tool subtracts the big federal deductions to show a rough take-home number. It handles federal income tax and FICA — that's the 6.2% Social Security tax plus the 1.45% Medicare tax that comes out of almost every American paycheck. The result is what actually lands in your bank account, not the salary on your offer letter.
When you'd reach for this
It's handy when you're weighing a job offer and want the real monthly figure, budgeting from an hourly wage, or checking whether a raise clears the amount you had in mind. A common surprise: a $60,000 salary is only about $5,000 gross a month, but after federal tax and the 7.65% FICA bite, take-home is noticeably lower. Seeing that gap before you sign a lease or a car loan saves a lot of grief.
How the math works
FICA is straightforward — a flat 7.65% until you hit the Social Security wage cap. Federal income tax is the tricky part because the U.S. uses brackets: only the dollars inside each bracket are taxed at that bracket's rate, so your effective rate is always lower than your top bracket. This estimator applies standard bracket math to give you a ballpark. It does not know your state income tax, health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, or other withholdings, so treat the output as a starting point.
How to use it
- Enter your gross pay — the amount before any deductions.
- Pick the pay period that matches it (annual, monthly, or per paycheck) so the tool compares like with like.
- Add your filing status if the tool asks, since it shifts the tax brackets.
- Read the estimated take-home, then mentally shave off state tax and benefits for a more realistic number.
FAQ
- Does this include my state taxes?
- No. It covers federal income tax and FICA only. State and local income taxes vary widely — some states have none — so subtract those separately.
- Why doesn't this match my actual paycheck?
- Real stubs also deduct health insurance, retirement contributions, and other items your employer withholds. Those lower your take-home below this estimate.
- Is my salary information private?
- Yes. Everything runs inside your browser and nothing you type is uploaded or saved.
- Is it free?
- Yes, free and ad-supported. Just remember it's a rough estimate, not tax or financial advice.