Paycheck Calculator
Estimate what actually lands in your bank account. We work out 2026 federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and your state's tax from your gross pay — this is an estimate, clearly labelled, not tax advice.
Your paycheck
Calculated on your device — nothing is uploaded.
Worked example
You earn $1,000 a week, you're single, and you live in Texas:
- Annual gross: $1,000 × 52 = $52,000.
- Minus the 2026 single standard deduction of $16,100 → taxable income $35,900.
- Federal tax: 10% of $12,400 ($1,240) + 12% of the next $23,500 ($2,820) = $4,060 a year.
- Social Security: 6.2% of $52,000 = $3,224 a year. Medicare: 1.45% = $754 a year.
- Texas state tax: $0 — Texas has no income tax on wages.
- Estimated take-home: about $845 a week.
How the estimate works
We use the IRS annualised percentage method: your pay is annualised, the year's tax is worked out, and the result is divided back across your paychecks.
- Federal income tax: 2026 brackets and standard deductions from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (single $16,100; married filing jointly $32,200; head of household $24,150).
- Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages over $200,000.
- State tax: exact flat rates where a state has one flat rate (for example Arizona 2.5%, Illinois 4.95%, Pennsylvania 3.07%); $0 in the nine states that don't tax wages; an effective-rate estimate in graduated-bracket states. Every figure is labelled an estimate.
Sources: Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov), Social Security Administration (ssa.gov), and state revenue departments.
Frequently asked questions
How is my take-home pay calculated?
We annualise your gross pay, subtract any pre-tax deductions and the 2026 standard deduction for your filing status, apply the 2026 IRS tax brackets, then add Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000) and your state's income tax. The result is spread back over your pay periods.
What are the 2026 standard deductions?
For tax year 2026 (IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32): $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household.
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax on wages, and New Hampshire does not tax wages either. If you live in one of these states, your state tax line here is $0.
Why will my real paycheck be different?
This is an estimate. Your actual withholding depends on your W-4 (dependents, other income, extra withholding), benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, garnishments, and your state's exact brackets and local taxes. Use it for planning, not as a guarantee.
Last updated: 23 October 2026
Estimates only — not payroll, tax or legal advice. Your employer's official record is what counts.