US Paycheck · 2026 IRS Brackets

Paycheck Calculator –
See Your Real Take-Home Pay

Estimate your net paycheck after federal income tax, FICA (Social Security & Medicare), state tax, and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health insurance. Uses current 2026 IRS federal tax brackets.

100% Free No Signup Browser-Based 2026 IRS Brackets Private & Secure

Paycheck Calculator

Enter your gross pay and details to estimate your net take-home pay.

$
Uses 2026 IRS standard deduction and tax brackets.
Pre-Tax Deductions
%
$
401(k) reduces federal & state taxable income only. Health premiums also reduce FICA wages.
State & Post-Tax
%
Use 0% for TX, FL, WA, NV, etc.
$
Net Pay Per Paycheck
$1,850.00
From $2,500.00 gross, bi-weekly, single filer
Gross Pay$2,500.00
401(k) Contribution-$125.00
Health Insurance-$100.00
Federal Income Tax-$210.00
Social Security
6.2%		-$147.50
Medicare
1.45%		-$33.35
State Tax (est.)-$91.00
Other Post-Tax-$0.00
Net Pay$1,850.00

Estimates only — not tax or payroll advice. Uses simplified 2026 federal brackets, standard deduction, and FICA rates. State tax is a flat-rate approximation. Actual withholding depends on your W-4, local taxes, and other factors.

Step by Step

How to Estimate Your Take-Home Pay

Get a realistic net pay estimate in seconds by matching the inputs to your actual paycheck.

1
💵

Enter Gross Pay

Type your gross pay per paycheck and how often you're paid.

2
🗂️

Pick Filing Status

Select single, married, or head of household for federal brackets.

3
🏦

Add Deductions

Include 401(k), health insurance, state tax rate, and other deductions.

4
📊

Review Net Pay

See every tax and deduction broken down, plus your final take-home pay.

Paycheck Breakdown

What Comes Out of Your Paycheck

A quick reference for every line item typically withheld from a US paycheck.

Federal
Federal Income Tax

Withheld based on your taxable income, filing status, and the progressive IRS tax brackets.

FICA
Social Security

6.2% of wages up to the annual Social Security wage base ($184,500 for 2026).

FICA
Medicare

1.45% of all wages, plus an Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% above certain income thresholds.

State
State Income Tax

Varies widely by state — nine states have no wage income tax at all, others use flat or progressive rates.

Pre-Tax
401(k) & Health Insurance

Deducted before taxes are calculated, lowering your taxable income for federal and often state tax.

Post-Tax
Other Deductions

Items like Roth 401(k), union dues, or wage garnishments, taken out after taxes are calculated.

This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or payroll advice. It uses simplified 2026 federal tax brackets and a flat-rate state tax approximation — your actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections, local taxes, benefits, and other factors. Always confirm with a payroll professional or the IRS.
Quick Reference

Example Bi-Weekly Paychecks (Single Filer)

Rough estimates assuming no state tax, 5% 401(k), and standard 2026 federal brackets.

Annual Salary Gross / Paycheck Est. Total Tax / Paycheck Est. Net / Paycheck
$40,000$1,538.46$268.00$1,270.46
$60,000$2,307.69$452.00$1,855.69
$80,000$3,076.92$654.00$2,422.92
$100,000$3,846.15$881.00$2,965.15
$150,000$5,769.23$1,478.00$4,291.23
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about calculating your net take-home pay.

What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?

Gross pay is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions. Net pay, or take-home pay, is what's left after federal tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), state tax, and any pre-tax or post-tax deductions are subtracted.

What taxes come out of my paycheck?

Most US employees have federal income tax, Social Security tax (6.2%), and Medicare tax (1.45%) withheld. Many states and some cities also withhold their own income tax. High earners may also owe an Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9%.

What is FICA?

FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It funds Social Security and Medicare. Employees pay 6.2% for Social Security up to an annual wage base limit, and 1.45% for Medicare with no wage limit.

How do pre-tax deductions affect my paycheck?

Pre-tax deductions like traditional 401(k) contributions and many health insurance premiums are subtracted from your pay before taxes are calculated, lowering your taxable income. This means you pay less in federal (and often state) tax, though 401(k) contributions still count toward Social Security and Medicare wages.

Does this calculator account for my exact state taxes?

This tool lets you enter a custom state tax rate to approximate your state's income tax, since actual state tax systems vary widely — some states have no income tax at all, while others use progressive brackets. For an exact figure, check your state's department of revenue or a payroll professional.

Is this paycheck calculator free?

Yes, this tool is completely free with no signup, no limits, and no data sent to any server.
Why WebToolOcean

Why Use Our Paycheck Calculator?

Built to help employees and job seekers understand exactly where their money goes.

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Every figure updates in real time as you adjust your inputs — no page reloads.

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Your income never leaves your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.

Current IRS Brackets

Uses 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions for every filing status.

Full Pay Breakdown

See federal tax, FICA, state tax, and every deduction line together.

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