Take Home Pay Estimator
Estimate your approximate take-home pay from gross income, accounting for federal income tax brackets, FICA (Social Security & Medicare), and standard deductions. Educational estimates only — not tax filing.
What this calculator does
- 100% free, no signup — calculations run instantly in your browser.
- Results include a plain-English interpretation of what the numbers mean for your situation.
- All math happens locally — your data never leaves your device.
Income & Tax Details
Estimated Take-Home Breakdown
How this calculation works
This estimator uses 2026 federal tax brackets and the standard deduction to give you a ballpark net figure. It does not account for state income tax (which varies by state), pre-tax 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, or itemized deductions.
Keep in mind that your actual paycheck withholding is determined by your W-4 form, which you give your employer. The IRS withholds tables are complex — this tool is for quick planning, not filing.
How this Take Home Pay Estimator works — 2026 guide
Gross pay is the number on your offer letter; take-home pay is the number that actually hits your bank account. The gap between the two is where federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and — in 41 states — state income tax all take a bite. This 2026 take-home pay estimator applies the IRS standard deduction ($15,750 single / $31,500 married filing jointly for 2026) and the seven federal brackets to give you a ballpark net figure from any gross income, with FICA broken out separately so you can see exactly how much is heading to Social Security and Medicare.
How to use it in 3 steps
- Enter your gross annual, monthly, or hourly income — the calculator normalizes everything to an annual figure.
- Pick your filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household) so the correct 2026 bracket and standard deduction apply.
- Read your estimated federal tax, FICA, and approximate take-home pay, with effective and marginal tax rates shown side by side.
Who this is for
Job seekers comparing gross offers in different states, recent grads decoding a first paycheck, and anyone planning a 401(k) or HSA contribution change. Use it next to the [hourly to salary calculator](/tools/hourly-salary-calculator/) to translate an hourly rate into an after-tax monthly budget, then run that figure through the [monthly budget planner](/tools/monthly-budget-planner/) for the full picture.
Data sources & authoritative references
This calculator is built on official U.S. rules and published statistics. Key sources: