Calculator · gross − federal − FICA − state
What actually lands in your account.
Hourly rate or salary in, paycheck out: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, FICA, and an optional flat state rate. An estimate, with every line shown.
0 = no state income tax
e.g. 401(k)
Estimated take-home, per biweekly paycheck
$1,240.89
$18 × 40 h × 52 ÷ 26 = $1,440.00 gross
- Gross pay
- $1,440.00
- Federal income tax
- −$88.95
- Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
- −$110.16
- Take-home
- $1,240.89
- Take-home per year
- $32,263.04
That's $199.11 less than the gross number every payday. Budget the take-home, not the hourly rate or the salary. Federal tax here is about 6.2% of gross, even though the top bracket you touch is higher.
Estimate · 2026 federal rules · not tax advice
How the math works
Every step, on screen.
Same method as the examples on @nodpost. Change any input and the numbers redo themselves.
- 01
Gross pay for the year
Hourly: rate × hours per week × 52. Salary: the annual number.
- 02
Taxable income
Gross − pre-tax deductions − the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly).
- 03
Federal income tax by bracket
Each slice is taxed at its own rate: 10%, 12%, 22% and up. $50K single: $1,240 + $2,580 = $3,820.
- 04
FICA on gross wages
Social Security 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base ($184,500) plus Medicare 1.45% (and 0.9% above $200K single / $250K joint).
- 05
State, if any
A flat rate you enter, applied to gross minus pre-tax deductions. Leave 0 for states with no income tax.
- 06
Divide by paychecks
Annual take-home ÷ 52, 26, 24 or 12.
FAQ
Short answers.
How accurate is this take-home pay calculator?
It's an estimate using 2026 federal brackets, the standard deduction and FICA. It doesn't model credits, local taxes, every state's brackets or your exact W-4, so your pay stub may differ.
What is $18 an hour after taxes biweekly?
About $1,241 per biweekly paycheck for a single filer working 40 hours a week with no state income tax and no other deductions.
What's the take-home pay on a $50,000 salary?
About $42,355 a year, or $1,629 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer in 2026 in a state with no income tax.
Read the full example
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Educational content, not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates from the inputs you enter and simplified methods shown on this page; your lender, card issuer, employer or tax return may calculate differently. Read the full disclaimer.