Built around IRS withholding methods
Know what lands in your account before payday.
A careful paycheck estimator for US workers. Pick how you're paid, enter your W-4 details, and see each line of your check.
Paycheck breakdown
Layout previewGross pay
Take-home
- Federal income tax
- Social Security
- Medicare
- State income tax
- Pre-tax deductions
Shown without figures — real amounts appear only when you run the calculator.
How a paycheck estimate works
Four steps from gross to take-home
- 01
Gross pay
Your rate × hours (plus overtime) or salary, divided by your pay periods.
- 02
Pre-tax deductions
401(k), HSA and eligible premiums reduce the wages that get taxed.
- 03
Withholding
Federal tax from your W-4, Social Security, Medicare, and state/local tax.
- 04
Net pay
What's left after taxes and post-tax deductions — your estimated take-home.
State by state
Where do you work?
State income tax rules vary widely. Choose your state to see what's covered.
Official methods, not shortcuts
Federal withholding follows IRS percentage-method logic with your W-4 — never a single flat rate.
Tax-year aware
Every rule set carries a tax year and effective dates, so you know exactly what was applied.
Verified before published
State and local rules go live only after they're checked against official sources.
Guides
Understand your pay stub
Federal · Coming soon
How federal income tax withholding works
What your W-4 tells your employer, and why withholding is not the same as the tax you owe.
Payroll taxes · Coming soon
FICA explained: Social Security and Medicare
The two payroll taxes on almost every paycheck, the wage base, and the additional Medicare tax.
Deductions · Coming soon
Pre-tax vs. post-tax deductions
How 401(k), HSA and health premiums change your taxable wages — and which ones don't.
FAQ