About PayCheck Cal

A free, private, and accurate way to estimate your take-home pay.

What PayCheck Cal does

PayCheck Cal is a free online calculator that estimates how much of your paycheck you actually keep after taxes and deductions. Enter your salary or hourly wage and it breaks down federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax, and state payroll deductions, then shows your take-home pay per paycheck, per month, and per year.

It was built to be genuinely useful and transparent — showing not just a number, but a full breakdown of where every dollar goes.

Features

Salary or hourly pay, with multi-line overtime and double-time support.
All 50 states, including each state's income tax rules.
State payroll deductions that many calculators miss — California SDI, New York PFL, New Jersey TDI/FLI, Washington Cares, and more.
Pre-tax and post-tax deductions — 401(k), HSA, FSA, dental, vision, medical premiums, Roth contributions, and more.
Filing status and pay-frequency options for a result that matches your situation.
A clear visual breakdown of taxes and contributions.

Accurate 2026 tax data

The calculator uses the official 2026 federal income tax brackets, the current standard deduction, and 2026 Social Security and Medicare rates, along with up-to-date state income tax brackets and mandatory employee payroll deduction rates. We update the figures as new tax-year data is released.

Your privacy

Everything is calculated locally in your browser. The figures you enter are never transmitted to a server or stored. See our Privacy Policy for details on cookies and advertising.

A note on estimates

PayCheck Cal provides estimates for planning and education. It does not account for every possible tax credit, local city tax, or special situation, and it is not tax, legal, or financial advice. For decisions that matter, confirm with a qualified professional or your payroll department.

Try the calculator →

Frequently asked questions

Is PayCheck Cal free?

Yes. PayCheck Cal is completely free to use, with no signup or account required. You can run as many calculations as you like.

How accurate is the calculator?

It uses the official 2026 federal tax brackets, the standard deduction, current Social Security and Medicare rates, and each state's income tax and mandatory payroll deductions. Results are careful estimates for planning; they are not a substitute for advice from a tax professional or your employer's payroll department.

Do you store the numbers I enter?

No. All calculations happen in your browser. The salary, hours, and deduction figures you type are never sent to or stored on a server.

What can the calculator handle?

Salary or hourly pay, overtime and double-time, all 50 states, filing status, pay frequency, and pre-tax and post-tax deductions including 401(k), HSA, FSA, and health premiums.