50/30/20 Budget Calculator
Split your monthly after-tax income into 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings or debt.
Inputs
Result
Visual breakdown
System view
See how this fits into your full financial system.
Zoom out and connect income, expenses, debt, savings, housing, transportation, and runway in one private system view.
Formula
Needs = income × 0.50 · Wants = income × 0.30 · Savings/debt = income × 0.20. Based on after-tax (take-home) income.
Example
$4,000/mo after tax → Needs $2,000, Wants $1,200, Savings/debt $800.
Related: Monthly budget · Emergency fund · Debt payoff
How to use
- Use take-home pay (after tax and required deductions).
- Treat the 20% as savings, investing, or extra debt payments.
- Adjust splits if your area's housing cost forces a higher 'needs' share.
When it's useful
- Starting a first budget.
- Sanity-checking a category that feels off.
- Reset after a raise or move.
Common examples
Frequently asked
What counts as a 'need'?
Rent, groceries, utilities, transportation to work, insurance, minimum debt payments.
Where does extra debt payoff go?
Inside the 20%. Snowball or avalanche payments are 'savings' for this rule.
What if 50% can't cover my needs?
Treat 50/30/20 as a target, not a law — high-cost cities often need 60/20/20 or 55/25/20.
Pre-tax or after-tax income?
After-tax — what actually lands in your account.
People also calculate
More money & work →Informational only — not financial advice.