See what you actually keep after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and 401(k) contributions.
Estimates use the 2026 IRS federal brackets, standard deduction and FICA rates. No-tax states are handled exactly; for other states enter your state’s effective rate. This is an estimate, not tax advice.
What comes out of your paycheck
Four big buckets: federal income tax (progressive brackets on your taxable income), FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the wage base, plus 1.45% Medicare on everything), state income tax (zero in nine states), and deductions like your 401(k), which reduce taxable income today.
Why your paycheck is smaller than salary ÷ 12
A $65,000 salary is not $5,416 of take-home every month. Federal tax alone takes roughly $5,600–$6,500 a year at that income, and FICA takes another ~$4,972. What is left — usually 70–80% of gross — is your real monthly spending power.
How to use this calculator
Start with your annual gross salary from your offer letter or W-2 box 1. Pick your pay frequency and filing status, then choose your state — or enter an estimated effective state rate if yours is not listed. Add your 401(k) percentage as a pre-tax deduction and watch the breakdown table update live as you type.
Pre-tax vs Roth 401(k): why the number changes
Traditional (pre-tax) 401(k) contributions come out before federal tax, so every 1% you contribute raises your paycheck’s tax shield immediately. Roth contributions come out after tax — your paycheck shrinks by the full amount today, but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. This calculator models the pre-tax kind, which is the default most employers offer.
Take home pay by state
Pick your state for a salary breakdown with its income tax pre-filled — or open the full Take Home Pay by State directory with salary examples for all 50 states.
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate take-home pay from salary?
Subtract pre-tax deductions, apply the federal brackets and standard deduction, subtract FICA (7.65% up to the Social Security wage base) and your state tax. The calculator does all of this instantly.
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming levy no wage income tax.
Does a 401(k) increase take-home pay?
It decreases your paycheck now but lowers your taxable income, so taxes drop too — and the money grows tax-deferred.
What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes?
For a typical US worker, roughly 20–30% of gross goes to federal tax, FICA and state tax combined — lower incomes keep more, higher incomes less.
Why does my W-4 change my paycheck?
The W-4 controls withholding, not your actual tax bill. More allowances claimed up front means a bigger paycheck now and possibly a balance due in April.
Is it better to lower my tax withholding?
Only if you are confident about your year-end liability. Over-withholding is an interest-free loan to the IRS; under-withholding can trigger penalties.