Paycheck Decoder
Updated for 2026

How much of your paycheck do you actually keep?

Enter your pay once and see your take-home after federal, state and payroll taxes. Every dollar is accounted for, so you can check it against your pay stub.

  • See exactly how each tax is worked out
  • Uses the official 2026 IRS and state withholding formulas
  • Includes 401(k), health, overtime and W-4 settings
  • Free and private: nothing leaves your browser
More W-4 and deduction options
Estimated take-home per paycheck
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    Why use this calculator

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    Shows the math

    Every line is explained step by step, so you can line it up with your pay stub instead of guessing why the numbers differ.

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    Official 2026 formulas

    Built from IRS Publication 15-T and each state's own withholding guide, and tested against the worked examples the IRS and states publish. Switch to 2027 any time.

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    Handles real paychecks

    401(k), health and HSA deductions, overtime, the W-4 two-jobs box, dependents, and local taxes. These are the inputs simple calculators skip.

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    Private and free

    No sign-up. The calculation runs in your browser, so what you type never leaves your device. Analytics only if you opt in.

    Paycheck calculators by state

    More states are being added. For a state not listed, the federal, Social Security and Medicare lines still apply; only the state line differs.

    Take-home pay by job

    What nurses, teachers, electricians, software developers and 44 other jobs really take home in each state, from official BLS wage data. Browse pay by job →

    Other calculators

    Why your estimate and your pay stub differ

    Most gaps come from four things: pre-tax benefits your employer deducts (health insurance, HSA, 401(k)); W-4 settings such as the Step 2 box for two jobs; local taxes; and overtime or bonus pay in that check. Withholding is also not your final tax bill. It's a prepayment that gets reconciled when you file.