Use this calculator to estimate your net biweekly pay. Understanding your take-home pay is crucial for budgeting and financial planning. Simply input your salary or hourly wage, along with common deductions and tax information, to get a clear picture of your biweekly earnings.
(Enter either Annual Salary OR Hourly Rate & Hours Per Week. If both are entered, Annual Salary will take precedence.)
Deductions & Taxes
Percentage (%)
Fixed Amount (Biweekly $)
Percentage (%)
Fixed Amount (Biweekly $)
Percentage (%)
Fixed Amount (Biweekly $)
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function toggleFederalTaxInput() {
var type = document.getElementById("federalTaxType").value;
var input = document.getElementById("federalTaxValue");
if (type === "percentage") {
input.placeholder = "e.g., 15";
input.value = "15";
} else {
input.placeholder = "e.g., 200";
input.value = "0";
}
}
function toggleStateTaxInput() {
var type = document.getElementById("stateTaxType").value;
var input = document.getElementById("stateTaxValue");
if (type === "percentage") {
input.placeholder = "e.g., 5";
input.value = "5";
} else {
input.placeholder = "e.g., 50";
input.value = "0";
}
}
function toggleFour01kInput() {
var type = document.getElementById("four01kType").value;
var input = document.getElementById("four01kValue");
if (type === "percentage") {
input.placeholder = "e.g., 5";
input.value = "5";
} else {
input.placeholder = "e.g., 100";
input.value = "0";
}
}
function calculatePaycheck() {
var annualSalary = parseFloat(document.getElementById("annualSalary").value) || 0;
var hourlyRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hourlyRate").value) || 0;
var hoursPerWeek = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hoursPerWeek").value) || 0;
var federalTaxType = document.getElementById("federalTaxType").value;
var federalTaxValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById("federalTaxValue").value) || 0;
var stateTaxType = document.getElementById("stateTaxType").value;
var stateTaxValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById("stateTaxValue").value) || 0;
var healthInsurance = parseFloat(document.getElementById("healthInsurance").value) || 0;
var four01kType = document.getElementById("four01kType").value;
var four01kValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById("four01kValue").value) || 0;
var otherPreTax = parseFloat(document.getElementById("otherPreTax").value) || 0;
var otherPostTax = parseFloat(document.getElementById("otherPostTax").value) || 0;
var grossBiweeklyPay = 0;
if (annualSalary > 0) {
grossBiweeklyPay = annualSalary / 26;
} else if (hourlyRate > 0 && hoursPerWeek > 0) {
grossBiweeklyPay = hourlyRate * hoursPerWeek * 2;
} else {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter either Annual Salary OR Hourly Rate and Hours Worked Per Week.";
return;
}
// Pre-tax deductions
var four01kContribution = 0;
if (four01kType === "percentage") {
four01kContribution = grossBiweeklyPay * (four01kValue / 100);
} else {
four01kContribution = four01kValue;
}
var totalPreTaxDeductions = healthInsurance + four01kContribution + otherPreTax;
var taxableGrossPay = grossBiweeklyPay – totalPreTaxDeductions;
if (taxableGrossPay < 0) taxableGrossPay = 0;
// FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare)
var socialSecurityTaxRate = 0.062; // 6.2%
var medicareTaxRate = 0.0145; // 1.45%
var socialSecurityMaxAnnual = 168600; // 2024 cap, adjust for current year if needed
var socialSecurityMaxBiweekly = socialSecurityMaxAnnual / 26;
var socialSecurityTax = Math.min(taxableGrossPay, socialSecurityMaxBiweekly) * socialSecurityTaxRate;
var medicareTax = taxableGrossPay * medicareTaxRate;
// Federal Income Tax
var federalIncomeTax = 0;
if (federalTaxType === "percentage") {
federalIncomeTax = taxableGrossPay * (federalTaxValue / 100);
} else {
federalIncomeTax = federalTaxValue;
}
// State Income Tax
var stateIncomeTax = 0;
if (stateTaxType === "percentage") {
stateIncomeTax = taxableGrossPay * (stateTaxValue / 100);
} else {
stateIncomeTax = stateTaxValue;
}
var totalTaxes = socialSecurityTax + medicareTax + federalIncomeTax + stateIncomeTax;
// Net Pay
var netBiweeklyPay = taxableGrossPay – totalTaxes – otherPostTax;
// Format results
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style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
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maximumFractionDigits: 2,
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var resultHTML = "
A biweekly paycheck is a common payment schedule where employees receive their wages every two weeks. This results in 26 paychecks over a year, as opposed to a semimonthly schedule (twice a month) which yields 24 paychecks. Understanding how your biweekly pay is calculated is essential for effective personal finance management, budgeting, and ensuring you're paid correctly.
What is Gross Pay?
Your gross pay is the total amount of money you earn before any deductions or taxes are withheld. For a biweekly schedule, this is typically calculated in one of two ways:
For Salaried Employees: Your annual salary divided by 26 (the number of biweekly pay periods in a year). For example, an annual salary of $60,000 would result in a gross biweekly pay of $60,000 / 26 = $2,307.69.
For Hourly Employees: Your hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours you work per week, then multiplied by two. For instance, if you earn $25 per hour and work 40 hours a week, your gross biweekly pay would be $25 * 40 * 2 = $2,000.
Pre-Tax Deductions
These are amounts subtracted from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, meaning you pay less in federal and state income taxes. Common pre-tax deductions include:
Health Insurance Premiums: Your share of the cost for health, dental, or vision insurance.
401(k) Contributions: Money you contribute to your employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Funds set aside for healthcare or dependent care expenses.
Commuter Benefits: Money used for public transportation or parking.
The calculator allows you to input your health insurance premium and 401(k) contributions (either as a percentage of gross pay or a fixed biweekly amount), along with any other pre-tax deductions.
Taxes Withheld
After pre-tax deductions, your remaining income is your "taxable gross pay," which is then subject to various taxes.
Federal Income Tax: This is withheld based on the information you provide on your W-4 form (filing status, dependents, other adjustments). The amount varies significantly based on income level and individual circumstances. Our calculator uses a simplified percentage or fixed amount for estimation.
State Income Tax: Many states also levy an income tax. Like federal tax, this can be a percentage or a fixed amount depending on your state's tax laws and your income.
FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare): These are federal taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare programs.
Social Security: Currently 6.2% of your taxable gross pay, up to an annual income limit (e.g., $168,600 for 2024).
Medicare: Currently 1.45% of all your taxable gross pay, with no income limit.
Post-Tax Deductions
These deductions are taken out of your pay *after* all taxes have been calculated and withheld. They do not reduce your taxable income. Examples include:
Roth 401(k) Contributions: If your employer offers a Roth 401(k), these contributions are made with after-tax dollars.
Union Dues: Fees paid to a labor union.
Garnishments: Court-ordered deductions for debts like child support or student loans.
Charitable Contributions: If deducted directly from your paycheck.
Our calculator includes a field for "Other Post-Tax Deductions" to account for these.
Net Pay (Take-Home Pay)
Your net pay is the final amount of money you receive after all pre-tax deductions, taxes, and post-tax deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. This is the money that actually lands in your bank account or is issued as a physical check.
How to Use the Calculator
Enter Your Income: Provide either your annual salary OR your hourly rate and the number of hours you work per week. The calculator will prioritize annual salary if both are entered.
Specify Tax Withholding: Choose whether to enter Federal and State Income Tax as a percentage of your taxable gross pay or as a fixed dollar amount per biweekly period.
Input Deductions: Enter your biweekly health insurance premium, your 401(k) contribution (percentage or fixed amount), and any other pre-tax or post-tax deductions.
Calculate: Click the "Calculate Biweekly Pay" button to see a detailed breakdown of your estimated gross pay, deductions, taxes, and final net pay.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on the information you provide and general tax rates. Actual withholdings can vary based on specific tax laws, your W-4 elections, additional income, and other factors. For precise figures, always refer to your official pay stubs or consult with your HR department or a tax professional.