What's withheld from a US paycheck?
Federal income tax (on income after the standard deduction and 401(k)), Social Security, Medicare, and any state income tax. The remainder is your take-home pay.
Thrivelance Tools
US Paycheck Calculator 2026
Estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, an optional state tax rate, and 401(k) contributions for the 2026 tax year.
Enter your details
See annual, monthly, and biweekly figures update as you type.
| Breakdown | Annual | Monthly | Biweekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | |||
| Federal income tax | |||
| Social Security | |||
| Medicare | |||
| State tax | |||
| 401(k) | |||
| Take home pay |
Taxable income
Effective tax rate
FICA taxes
Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to the $184,500 wage base. Medicare is 1.45% with no cap, plus an extra 0.9% on wages over $200,000.
2026 federal brackets
Seven rates from 10% to 37% apply to taxable income, with thresholds that differ by filing status and adjust for inflation each year.
Pre-tax 401(k)
Traditional 401(k) contributions lower your taxable income for federal tax but are still subject to Social Security and Medicare.
FAQ
Common questions about this calculator.
How is my US take-home pay calculated?
Federal income tax is applied to your salary after the standard deduction and any pre-tax 401(k). Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) are charged on gross wages, plus any state income tax.
What is the Social Security wage base for 2026?
Social Security tax of 6.2% applies to wages up to $184,500 in 2026. Earnings above that are not subject to Social Security tax.
Does this include state income tax?
You can enter an effective state tax rate. States like Texas and Florida have no income tax, so use 0; others can be entered as a percentage.
How do 401(k) contributions affect my paycheck?
Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your federal taxable income, lowering income tax, but they are still subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.