How to Calculate Take-Home Pay in 2026
Learn how to calculate take-home pay from gross salary, federal withholding, FICA taxes, state taxes and pre-tax deductions.
Take-home pay is the amount left after taxes and payroll deductions come out of gross pay. It is also called net pay. If you are comparing job offers, budgeting a new salary or trying to understand a pay stub, net pay is usually the number that matters most.
Take-home pay formula
A useful starting formula is gross pay − pre-tax deductions − federal income tax − Social Security − Medicare − state and local withholding − post-tax deductions = take-home pay.
The order matters because some deductions reduce taxable wages before certain taxes are calculated. A traditional 401(k), for example, can reduce federal taxable wages while Social Security and Medicare treatment may differ from other deductions.
Start with gross pay per paycheck
Annual salary has to be converted into the employer's pay frequency. Weekly payroll usually creates 52 paychecks a year, biweekly payroll usually creates 26, semi-monthly payroll creates 24 and monthly payroll creates 12. An annual salary of $75,000 therefore produces a different gross amount on a biweekly check than on a semi-monthly check even though annual salary is the same.
Subtract federal and payroll taxes
Federal income-tax withholding generally depends on taxable wages, filing status and W-4 entries. FICA payroll tax is separate: employees generally pay Social Security and Medicare withholding. Your employer may also withhold state income tax and, in some places, local income tax.
Add state and benefit deductions
State rules can change take-home pay substantially. Texas and Florida do not impose an individual state income tax on wages, while states such as California and New York have their own withholding systems. Health-plan contributions, retirement deferrals and extra withholding elections can also move the final number.
Why a calculator is useful
Doing this by hand is possible, but payroll rules are layered. Our take-home pay calculator and paycheck calculator let you change salary, pay frequency, state, filing status and common pre-tax deductions in one place.
Take-home pay FAQ
Is take-home pay the same as net pay?
Yes. In normal payroll use, take-home pay and net pay both describe what remains after deductions.
Why is my paycheck calculator result different from my pay stub?
Bonuses, local taxes, year-to-date wage caps, benefit plans, special payroll rules and employer settings can all change actual withholding.