Calculate your estimated net pay after deductions.
Estimated Net Pay
$0.00
Understanding Your Paycheck: A Basic Guide
A paycheck calculator is a valuable tool for understanding how your gross earnings are transformed into the net amount you actually receive. It helps demystify the deductions that are taken out before your money lands in your bank account.
Key Components of a Paycheck Calculation:
Gross Pay: This is your total earnings before any taxes or other deductions are taken out. It's typically calculated by multiplying your hourly wage by the number of hours worked, or by using your fixed salary amount for the pay period.
Federal Income Tax: This is a tax levied by the U.S. federal government based on your income level and filing status. The rate is progressive, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage. This calculator uses a simplified flat rate for estimation.
State Income Tax: Many states also levy an income tax. The rates and rules vary significantly by state. Some states have no income tax at all. Like federal tax, this calculator uses a simplified flat rate.
Social Security Tax: This tax funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. It has a fixed rate (currently 6.2% for employees) and an annual income limit. Wages above this limit are not subject to Social Security tax for the remainder of the year.
Medicare Tax: This tax funds federal health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older. It has a fixed rate (currently 1.45% for employees) and, unlike Social Security, does not have an income limit.
Net Pay: This is the final amount of money you receive after all taxes and deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. It's often referred to as your "take-home pay."
How the Calculation Works:
The basic paycheck calculation performed by this tool follows these steps:
Sum all Deductions:Federal Tax Amount + State Tax Amount + Social Security Tax Amount + Medicare Tax Amount
Calculate Net Pay:Gross Pay - Total Deductions
Important Note: This is a simplified calculator. Actual paychecks may include other deductions such as health insurance premiums, retirement contributions (401(k), IRA), union dues, or garnishments. Tax laws can also be complex, involving tax brackets, credits, and exemptions that are not accounted for here. This calculator should be used for estimation purposes only.
function calculateNetPay() {
var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossPay").value);
var federalTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("federalTaxRate").value);
var stateTaxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stateTaxRate").value);
var socialSecurityRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("socialSecurityRate").value);
var medicareRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("medicareRate").value);
var netPayElement = document.getElementById("netPay");
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(grossPay) || grossPay < 0 ||
isNaN(federalTaxRate) || federalTaxRate < 0 ||
isNaN(stateTaxRate) || stateTaxRate < 0 ||
isNaN(socialSecurityRate) || socialSecurityRate < 0 ||
isNaN(medicareRate) || medicareRate < 0) {
netPayElement.textContent = "Invalid input. Please enter valid numbers.";
return;
}
var federalTaxAmount = grossPay * (federalTaxRate / 100);
var stateTaxAmount = grossPay * (stateTaxRate / 100);
var socialSecurityAmount = grossPay * (socialSecurityRate / 100);
var medicareAmount = grossPay * (medicareRate / 100);
var totalDeductions = federalTaxAmount + stateTaxAmount + socialSecurityAmount + medicareAmount;
var netPay = grossPay – totalDeductions;
// Ensure net pay is not negative due to excessive theoretical deductions
if (netPay < 0) {
netPay = 0;
}
netPayElement.textContent = "$" + netPay.toFixed(2);
}