Paycheck Calculator (Lite)
A calm, manual take-home estimator. Enter your gross pay, choose a deduction percentage, and add any flat deductions — we show your estimated net.
Inputs
Result
Visual breakdown
System view
See how this fits into your full financial system.
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Formula
Net = gross − (gross × deduction%) − flat deductions. The deduction percentage is whatever you choose to enter — actual taxes vary by income, location and filing status.
Example
$2,000 gross at 22% deductions and $50 flat → ~$1,510 net per period.
Related: Salary · Hourly to salary · Overtime
How to use
- Enter your gross pay for one pay period.
- Pick how often you're paid.
- Enter a combined tax/deduction % (check a recent paystub for accuracy).
- Add flat deductions like benefits or 401(k) contributions.
When it's useful
- Estimating take-home pay before accepting a job.
- Budgeting between paychecks.
- Seeing the impact of a 401(k) or HSA contribution.
- Sanity-checking a paystub against expectations.
Common examples
Common answers
- Take-home on a $60,000 salary?Often $3,800–$4,200/mo after typical federal + state withholding.
- How does a 401(k) lower my paycheck?Each $100 pre-tax cuts take-home by less than $100 thanks to tax savings.
- Why is my first paycheck smaller?Partial pay period, benefit setup or pre-tax deductions usually shrink it.
- Bonus vs regular pay?Bonuses are often withheld at a flat supplemental rate — sometimes higher than your normal rate.
- Why doesn't this match my pay stub exactly?Lite estimate only — real stubs include local tax, benefits and pre/post-tax deductions.
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Frequently asked
Why isn't my exact tax shown?
Tax brackets, state/provincial rules and filing status make exact paychecks complex. This lite tool lets you plug in your own combined % for a quick estimate.
What should I put for the percentage?
Many US workers see 18–28% combined federal + state + FICA. Check a recent paystub and use that ratio for the most accurate result.
How do I find my pay frequency?
Most employers pay weekly, every two weeks (biweekly), twice a month (semimonthly), or monthly. Check your paystub.
Does this include retirement contributions?
Add them as flat deductions if pre-set, or include them in the percentage.
Gross vs net pay?
Gross is what you earn before deductions. Net (take-home) is what actually lands in your bank after taxes and benefits.
Why does biweekly differ from semimonthly?
Biweekly pays every 2 weeks (26 cheques/year). Semimonthly pays twice a month (24 cheques/year), so each cheque is a bit larger.
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More money & work →This is an estimate, not tax or financial advice.