Paycheck Calculator

What do you actually take home after tax? Put in your pay, pick your state, and this calculator works it out for 2026 — federal withholding, Social Security, Medicare, state tax, your 401(k) and health cover, all shown line by line.

Example filled in: $60,000 a year, single, in Texas. Change any number below to run your own pay.

Pick your state

Tap a state tag, or pick one from the list below — either way works, and the result updates.

Your pay

Pay type Choose whether you are paid a yearly salary or an hourly wage. Annual salary ($) Annual salary, in dollars ($) — your pay before tax. Hourly wage ($) Hourly wage, in dollars ($) per hour — only used if you picked hourly wage above. Hours per week Hours you work each week — usually 40.

Tax details

Filing status How you file your federal tax — it sets your standard deduction. State The state where you work — it sets your state tax. Pay frequency How often you get paid — it sets how many paychecks a year you get.

Deductions

401(k) % Percent (%) of each paycheck that goes to your 401(k). Health premium per pay period ($) Health premium, in dollars ($) per pay period — taken out before tax.

How it works — steps

Enter your gross pay.
Choose filing status, state, and pay frequency.
Add pre-tax deductions (401(k) and health).
The calculator subtracts federal withholding, FICA, and state tax, then shows take-home pay per period and per year.

Formula

Taxable income = gross pay − 401(k) − health premiums − standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married filing jointly in 2026). Federal tax is calculated from simplified 2026 brackets. FICA = 6.2% Social Security on wages up to $184,500 + 1.45% Medicare (+0.9% over $200,000). Health premiums are exempt from FICA; 401(k) contributions are not.

Worked example — $60,000 in Texas

$60,000 salary, single, biweekly, 5% 401(k), $120 health per period, Texas (no state income tax): gross $2,307.69 − federal $164.83 − FICA $167.36 − 401(k) $115.38 − health $120.00 = $1,740.12 take-home per pay period ($45,243.12 per year). Verified in the calculator on this page.

Want the same check for California? The California numbers are $1,714.43 a period, after $25.69 of estimated CA state tax. Open this calculator with California picked and you will see it.

Frequently asked questions

Is this exact?

No — it is an estimate using simplified 2026 tables. Your employer uses IRS Publication 15-T and your W-4, so your real paycheck can be a little different.

Why is Texas take-home higher?

Texas has no state income tax, so state tax is $0 in this example. In California, the same $60,000 costs $25.69 a period in state tax, using our simplified CA brackets.

Does 401(k) lower my tax?

Yes, for federal income tax. It does not lower Social Security or Medicare tax.

Sources and 2026 figures. IRS Publication 15-T; IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. Standard deduction 2026: $16,100 single / $32,200 married filing jointly. Social Security wage base 2026: $184,500. Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% over $200,000). Results are estimates, not tax advice.

Estimate, not tax advice. This calculator uses simplified 2026 tables for illustration. Verify your withholding with IRS Publication 15-T and a tax professional.