How is take-home pay calculated?

Take-home pay is gross pay minus taxes and deductions, including federal and state withholding, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and any other deductions.

What is the FICA tax rate?

FICA is typically 7.65% of wages: 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare.

Paycheck Calculator

Estimate how much of your gross pay you actually take home after federal, state, FICA, and other deductions.

Your pay details

Gross pay per period ($)

Pay frequency

FICA (Social Security + Medicare)

Default is 7.65% for most employees.

Federal withholding (%)

State withholding (%)

Other deductions (%)

Optional: health insurance, retirement, etc.

How to calculate your take-home pay

Your take-home pay (net pay) is what remains after taxes and deductions are subtracted from your gross pay. The main deductions are:

Federal income tax — estimated from your tax bracket and W-4 withholding.
State income tax — varies widely by state; a few states have no income tax at all.
FICA — 7.65% for most employees (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare).
Other deductions — health insurance, retirement contributions, and other benefits.

This calculator uses the rates you enter, so treat the result as a close estimate. The easiest way to get your real percentages is to look at a recent pay stub.

How to find your withholding percentages

On a pay stub, divide each deduction by your gross pay for that period and multiply by 100. Federal and state taxes are usually listed separately, along with Social Security and Medicare.

How to increase your take-home pay

Check your W-4 — too much withholding means bigger refunds but smaller paychecks.
Contribute to tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), HSA, FSA) to lower taxable income.
Review your benefits choices if you have options.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my withholding percentage?

Divide the tax amount on a recent pay stub by your gross pay for that period, then multiply by 100. Federal and state are usually shown separately.

Does this include Social Security and Medicare?

Yes. The FICA field includes both Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%), totaling 7.65% for most employees.

Why is my paycheck smaller than expected?

The most common reasons are federal and state withholding, FICA, and pre-tax deductions like health insurance and 401(k) contributions.

How often should I check my withholding?

Check after major life changes — a new job, marriage, a child, or a raise — and adjust your W-4 as needed.