Free Paycheck Calculators
Paycheck Calculator by State
Calculate your take-home pay for any US state. Our free calculators show exactly how much you'll receive after federal taxes, state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and other deductions.
Updated for 2026
Latest federal & state rates
Salary & Hourly
Support for both pay types
All 50 States + DC
Complete US coverage
100% Free
No signup required
Choose Your State
AL
Alabama
Progressive
AK
Alaska
No state tax
AZ
Arizona
Flat 2.5%
AR
Arkansas
Progressive
CA
California
Progressive
CO
Colorado
Flat 4.4%
CT
Connecticut
Progressive
DE
Delaware
Progressive
FL
Florida
No state tax
GA
Georgia
Flat 5.5%
HI
Hawaii
Progressive
ID
Idaho
Flat 5.8%
IL
Illinois
Flat 5.0%
IN
Indiana
Flat 3.0%
IA
Iowa
Flat 3.8%
KS
Kansas
Progressive
KY
Kentucky
Flat 4.0%
LA
Louisiana
Progressive
ME
Maine
Progressive
MD
Maryland
Progressive
MA
Massachusetts
Flat 5.0%
MI
Michigan
Flat 4.3%
MN
Minnesota
Progressive
MS
Mississippi
Flat 4.7%
MO
Missouri
Progressive
MT
Montana
Flat 5.9%
NE
Nebraska
Progressive
NV
Nevada
No state tax
NH
New Hampshire
No state tax
NJ
New Jersey
Progressive
NM
New Mexico
Progressive
NY
New York
Progressive
NC
North Carolina
Flat 4.5%
ND
North Dakota
Flat 1.9%
OH
Ohio
Flat 3.6%
OK
Oklahoma
Progressive
OR
Oregon
Progressive
PA
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.1%
RI
Rhode Island
Progressive
SC
South Carolina
Flat 6.4%
SD
South Dakota
No state tax
TN
Tennessee
No state tax
TX
Texas
No state tax
UT
Utah
Flat 4.7%
VT
Vermont
Progressive
VA
Virginia
Progressive
WA
Washington
No state tax
DC
Washington DC
Progressive
WV
West Virginia
Progressive
WI
Wisconsin
Progressive
WY
Wyoming
No state tax
How the Paycheck Calculator Works
Understanding your paycheck deductions
1. Federal Income Tax
Based on your income, filing status, and the IRS tax brackets. For 2026, rates range from 10% to 37%. Your employer withholds this based on your W-4 form.
2. State Income Tax
Varies by state. Nine states have no income tax (TX, FL, WA, etc.). Others use flat rates or progressive brackets. Our calculator uses your state's specific rates.
3. Social Security (FICA)
6.2% of your wages up to the annual limit ($176,100 in 2026). This funds retirement and disability benefits. Your employer pays a matching 6.2%.
4. Medicare
1.45% of all wages with no limit. High earners pay an additional 0.9% on wages over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married). Funds healthcare for seniors.
5. Pre-Tax Deductions
401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA, and FSA contributions are deducted before taxes are calculated, reducing your taxable income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this free paycheck calculator work?
Enter your salary, filing status, and state. It subtracts federal tax (2026 brackets), state tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) to show your biweekly take-home pay. All 50 states plus DC are supported.
How do I calculate my paycheck after taxes for 2026?
Enter your gross salary, filing status, and state. The calculator applies 2026 federal brackets, the $176,100 Social Security wage base, and your state's tax rate to show what you'll receive each pay period.
What is the difference between a salary calculator and a payroll calculator?
A salary calculator shows your take-home pay from the employee's perspective. A payroll calculator is for employers and includes employer-paid costs like the employer share of FICA (an additional 7.65%). Same taxes, different viewpoint.
Does this paycheck calculator work for all 50 states?
Yes, all 50 states plus DC. Each state page uses that state's specific rates and rules. States like Texas and Florida have no income tax, while California and New York use progressive brackets. Click any state tile above for a detailed breakdown.
What is a gross-up calculation and when do I need one?
A gross-up works backward: you start with a desired net amount and calculate the gross pay needed to hit it after taxes. Employers use it for after-tax bonuses or relocation payments -- for example, a $5,000 net bonus might require $7,500-$8,000 gross depending on the tax bracket.
How accurate is this paycheck calculator compared to my actual paycheck?
It's a close estimate using current 2026 federal and state rates. Your actual paycheck may differ due to pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance, HSA), post-tax deductions, local taxes, or W-4 withholding adjustments.
Understanding Federal Tax Withholding on Your Paycheck
Federal income tax is withheld from each paycheck based on Form W-4 elections, filing status, and the IRS withholding tables published in Publication 15-T. The 2026 federal tax brackets for single filers range from 10% on the first $11,925 to 37% on income above $626,350. Your employer uses the percentage method or wage bracket tables to determine the per-paycheck withholding amount.
FICA taxes are withheld at a flat combined rate of 7.65%: 6.2% for Social Security (on wages up to $176,100 in 2026) and 1.45% for Medicare (no wage cap). An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to wages exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 MFJ). On a biweekly paycheck of $2,885 ($75,000 annual), FICA withholding totals approximately $220.70.
| Paycheck Component | Rate/Amount | Example ($75K Annual, Biweekly) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $75,000 / 26 | $2,884.62 |
| Federal Income Tax | ~12-22% marginal | ~$355 |
| Social Security | 6.2% | $178.85 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | $41.83 |
| State Tax (CA example) | ~6% effective | ~$173 |
| Net Pay | After all deductions | ~$2,136 |
Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Deductions and Their Impact
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated, effectively lowering your tax bill. Common pre-tax deductions include 401(k) contributions (up to $23,500 in 2026, plus $7,500 catch-up for age 50+), health insurance premiums under employer plans, HSA contributions ($4,300 individual / $8,550 family for 2026), and FSA contributions ($3,200 for 2026).
A $500 per-paycheck 401(k) contribution on a biweekly schedule saves approximately $130-$165 in taxes per paycheck (at a combined 26-33% marginal rate), meaning the actual reduction in take-home pay is only $335-$370 rather than the full $500. Over a full year, this produces $13,000 in retirement savings at an after-tax cost of roughly $8,700-$9,620.
Post-tax deductions -- Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, garnishments, life insurance beyond $50,000 in coverage, and disability insurance -- do not reduce current taxable income. However, Roth contributions grow tax-free and qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free. The choice between pre-tax and Roth depends on whether your current marginal rate is higher or lower than your expected retirement tax rate.
Pay Frequency: How Weekly, Biweekly, and Monthly Paychecks Differ
Biweekly pay (every 2 weeks, 26 paychecks/year) is the most common schedule in the U.S., used by approximately 43% of employers. Weekly pay (52 paychecks) is common in construction and hourly-heavy industries. Semi-monthly pay (24 paychecks, typically 1st and 15th) and monthly pay (12 paychecks) are more common for salaried positions and in certain states.
The pay frequency affects per-paycheck withholding but not annual tax liability. However, biweekly pay produces 2 "extra" paychecks compared to semi-monthly: twice a year, biweekly employees receive 3 paychecks in a single month instead of 2. For budgeting purposes, those 2 extra checks represent approximately 8.3% of annual gross pay. A $75,000 salary on biweekly produces $2,884.62/check vs. $3,125/check on semi-monthly.
The W-4 form, last redesigned in 2020, eliminated withholding allowances in favor of dollar amounts. Key W-4 decisions include: Step 2 (multiple jobs or spouse works), Step 3 (claiming dependents -- $2,000 per qualifying child, $500 for other dependents), and Step 4 (other adjustments including additional withholding). Incorrectly completing the W-4 results in either excessive withholding (interest-free loan to the IRS) or under-withholding (potential penalty).