Paycheck Estimator: Gross Pay to Take-Home Pay
A simple estimate, clearly not a payslip. It subtracts federal income tax withholding (IRS Publication 15-T, 2026 percentage method), Social Security and Medicare from your gross pay, plus pre-tax deductions and a state percentage you choose.
Paycheck estimator (gross to net)
A simple estimate of take-home pay using IRS 2026 federal withholding tables.
Paycheck estimator (gross to net) ·
Enter your numbers above and the result appears here.
How this was calculated
What this estimator includes - and what it leaves out
| Included | Federal income tax withholding per the IRS 2026 percentage method (standard Step 1 only), Social Security 6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base, Medicare 1.45%, pre-tax health and retirement deductions, an optional state/local percentage you enter, and any other flat withholding. |
| Not included | W-4 Step 2 (multiple jobs), Step 3 credits, Step 4 adjustments, state and local tax tables, post-tax deductions such as garnishments, tips, bonuses taxed as supplemental wages, additional Medicare tax for high earners, and anything specific to your employer. |
It is therefore a ballpark. If you need your real number, check your last pay stub and Form W-4, or ask your payroll department.
How the estimate is built
- Gross pay per period. For hourly pay: weekly gross × 52 ÷ pay periods. Overtime hours are paid at 1.5 times your rate.
- Taxable wages. Gross pay minus the pre-tax deductions you enter. Health or cafeteria-plan deductions reduce income tax and Social Security/Medicare wages; 401(k)-type deferrals reduce income-tax wages only.
- Annualise. Multiply by the number of pay periods, then subtract the Pub 15-T standard amount ($8,600 for single, $12,900 for married filing jointly) to get the adjusted annual wage.
- Apply the IRS rate table. The 2026 schedule for single filers starts at 0% up to $7,500, then 10% to $19,900, 12% to $57,900, 22% to $113,200, 24% to $209,275, and so on. Married filing jointly starts 0% up to $19,300, then 10% to $44,100, 12% to $120,100, and so on.
- Divide by the pay periods to get withholding for one paycheck.
- Add Social Security and Medicare and subtract everything from gross.
Worked example: $2,000 bi-weekly, single
Hand calculation
Gross $2,000 × 26 = $52,000 a year. Subtract $8,600: adjusted annual wage $43,400. The single schedule's 12% row starts at $19,900 with a base of $1,240, so tax = $1,240 + 12% × ($43,400 − $19,900) = $1,240 + $2,820 = $4,060 a year. Divided by 26 = $156.15 per paycheck.
Social Security: $2,000 × 6.2% = $124.00. Medicare: $2,000 × 1.45% = $29.00.
Estimated take-home = $2,000.00 − $156.15 − $124.00 − $29.00 = $1,690.85 (before any state or local tax).
Reading the result
The estimator shows take-home as a percentage of gross for your own inputs. Use the annual column to see how a raise would change the year, and compare it with the hourly to salary converter to see gross income at your rate.
Why take-home pay changes from check to check
Gross pay for hourly employees moves with hours and overtime, so withholding moves as well. Because the federal percentage method annualises each paycheck, an unusually large check (a big overtime week, a bonus) is withheld as if you earned that much all year. That does not mean you owe tax at that rate; any over-withholding is settled when you file. Likewise, 401(k) deferrals reduce your income tax withholding but not Social Security or Medicare wages, while many health-plan premiums reduce both.
Ways to check the estimate
- Enter your actual gross pay per period from a recent pay stub in the “Gross pay per period” mode.
- Match the filing status on your Form W-4 (Step 1(c)).
- Enter any pre-tax deductions from the stub.
- Compare federal withholding, Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) lines. Social Security and Medicare should match closely; federal income tax will differ if your W-4 has Steps 2-4 filled in.
Using the estimator for planning
The estimator is most useful for what-if questions: how much does a raise change take-home pay, what does a 401(k) contribution really cost after tax, how much of an overtime week is kept? Run it twice with one input changed and compare the net lines. For example, raising a $2,000 bi-weekly gross to $2,200 raises take-home by far less than $200, because 22 cents of every extra dollar is withheld at the 22% federal bracket at higher incomes. Use the paycheck estimator for the shape of the answer, not the penny.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this paycheck estimator?
It is an estimate. Federal figures follow the IRS 2026 Publication 15-T percentage method for a W-4 with no credits or adjustments. Your employer's payroll system, state taxes and deductions will change the real amount.
Why does it ask for a state percentage?
State and local income tax systems differ widely and change often. Instead of guessing, we let you enter your own estimated percentage; leave it at 0 to see federal only.
What is the Social Security wage base?
For 2026 the IRS lists the Social Security wage base limit as $184,500 in Publication 15. Social Security tax stops on wages above that amount in the year. Medicare tax has no limit.
Does overtime change my withholding?
Overtime raises gross pay for the period, and because withholding is estimated by annualising that period's pay, a big overtime week can look like a high-income year to the formula. Over the full year, tax is settled when you file your return.
Is this calculator for salaried workers too?
Yes. Choose Gross pay per period and type the salary divided by the number of pay periods.
Sources and last checked
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), Employer's Tax Guide
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
Last checked: . Tax figures are for 2026 and will change; the page's tables must be updated each year (see NOTES.md in the repository). Rules change; confirm with the linked agency before relying on a figure. This is general information, not legal or payroll advice - see our disclaimer.