About the Paycheck Calculator (2026)
See exactly what lands in your bank account. This paycheck calculator uses the official 2026 IRS federal tax brackets and standard deductions (updated for the One Big Beautiful Bill changes), the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500, Medicare including the 0.9% additional tax, and current 2026 income tax rates for all 50 states plus DC. Enter your salary or hourly wage, pick your state and filing status, add your 401(k) percentage — and watch your real take-home pay update live, per paycheck and per year.
Your salary and deduction figures stay in your browser. Pay data is among the most sensitive information you can type into a website, and none of it is transmitted here.
How to use the paycheck calculator
- Enter your gross pay — an annual salary, or an hourly rate with your hours per week.
- Pick your state and filing status (single, married filing jointly, or head of household).
- Add pre-tax deductions such as your 401(k) percentage — the result updates live.
- Read your net take-home pay, shown per paycheck and per year, with a full breakdown of every deduction.
What the calculator includes (2026)
- Federal income tax using the 2026 brackets and standard deduction — applied progressively, so only each slice of income is taxed at its own rate.
- Social Security at 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, and Medicare at 1.45% (plus the 0.9% additional Medicare tax on high earners).
- State income tax for all 50 states and DC — including no-tax states like Texas and Florida and flat-tax states like Pennsylvania.
- Pre-tax 401(k) contributions, which lower the income your tax is calculated on.
A quick example
A single filer earning $70,000 in a no-income-tax state keeps roughly $57,000 a year after federal tax and FICA — about $4,750 a month. Add a 5% 401(k) contribution and your taxable income drops, trimming your tax bill now while building retirement savings for later.
Tips to keep more of your paycheck
- Contribute to a traditional 401(k) or an HSA to lower your taxable income legally.
- Check your W-4 withholding — a big refund every year means you're lending the government money interest-free.
- Compare offers across states: the same salary stretches further where there's no state income tax.
Frequently asked questions
Is this paycheck calculator free? Yes — it's completely free, with no sign-up and no limits.
Does it work for hourly wages? Yes. Enter your hourly rate and hours per week and it converts to annual, monthly, and per-paycheck figures.
Which states have no income tax? Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
Are the numbers I enter private? Completely — the calculator runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded or stored.
Results are estimates for general information only and are not financial advice. Actual loan terms, returns, and taxes vary — confirm figures with your lender or advisor.