Enter your annual gross salary, how often you are paid, and your filing status. The calculator estimates your federal income tax withholding and FICA taxes for each paycheck, then shows what is left as take-home pay. There is no sign-up and nothing to submit — the results update as you type.
Bi-weekly Paycheck
How this calculator works
Your annual salary is divided across your pay periods — 52 if you are paid weekly, 26 for bi-weekly, 12 for monthly. From each paycheck it deducts Social Security at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45%, plus a simplified estimate of federal income tax withholding based on your filing status. What remains is your estimated net, or take-home, pay for that period.
If the gap between your salary and your take-home pay has ever surprised you, our guide to how to read a pay stub walks through every line in plain language, and how to budget your first paycheck shows how to plan around the net figure rather than the gross one.
What this estimate leaves out
This is a simplified federal estimate only. It does not include state or local income taxes, pre-tax deductions such as health insurance premiums, HSA contributions or retirement plan contributions, or tax credits. Your real paycheck will usually be lower than the estimate if any of those apply to you.
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This calculator provides estimates for general education only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Results are simplified federal estimations; your actual withholding depends on your employer, your W-4, and your individual circumstances. For advice about your own situation, talk to a qualified tax professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this paycheck estimate 100% accurate for tax filing?+
No. This tool provides a simplified federal estimation of periodic withholdings. Your actual paycheck and annual tax liability may vary due to state income taxes, local taxes, specific pre-tax deductions (such as medical premiums, HSA, or retirement contributions), and individual tax credits. Consult a certified public accountant or professional tax advisor for official tax preparation.
Why are Social Security and Medicare taxes mandatory?+
Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) are mandatory federal payroll taxes. They fund the US social insurance programs that provide retirement pensions, disability benefits, survivor assistance, and healthcare coverage for seniors (Medicare). This calculator applies the standard employee rates of 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare to each paycheck.
How often is my paycheck calculated?+
The paycheck calculations are evaluated dynamically based on the pay frequency you select (weekly: 52 pay periods, bi-weekly: 26 pay periods, or monthly: 12 pay periods per year) applied to your annual gross salary.
Is my information stored or shared?+
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server, saved, or shared — refresh the page and it is gone.