Gross to Net Pay Calculator
Enter your gross pay amount for the selected pay frequency
Percentage of gross pay contributed pre-tax
Per-period pre-tax health/dental/vision premium
Enter Your Pay Details
Fill in your gross pay, pay frequency, filing status, and state to see a full breakdown of your take-home pay, taxes, and deductions.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Your Gross Pay
Select whether you are paid by salary or hourly wage. If salaried, enter your gross pay amount and choose your pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly). If hourly, enter your hourly rate and the number of regular hours per pay period. Your gross pay will be calculated automatically.
Set Your Tax Profile
Choose your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household) and select your state from the dropdown. These two fields determine your federal tax bracket and state income tax rate, which are the biggest factors in your take-home pay.
Add Pre-Tax Deductions
Enter any pre-tax benefit deductions you contribute each pay period: your 401(k) percentage, health insurance premium dollar amount, HSA contributions, and FSA contributions. Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, so they save you more money than their face value suggests.
Review Your Results
Your net take-home pay per paycheck and annual amounts will appear instantly. Review the itemized breakdown to see exactly how much goes to federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and each deduction category. Use the stacked bar chart to visualize the full composition of your gross pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any taxes or deductions are withheld. Net pay — also called take-home pay — is the amount that actually reaches your bank account after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any benefit deductions are subtracted. For most middle-income workers in the U.S., take-home pay typically represents 65–75% of gross pay, but it varies widely depending on income level, state of residence, filing status, and voluntary deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums.
What is a gross-up calculation and when is it used?
A gross-up calculation works in reverse — instead of converting gross pay to net pay, it tells you what gross amount an employer needs to pay so that an employee receives a specific desired net amount. This is most commonly used for bonus payments, relocation allowances, and one-time awards where the employer wants the employee to receive the full stated amount after taxes. For example, if an employer wants an employee to net $5,000 in a bonus, the employer calculates the gross amount needed (typically around $7,000–$8,000 depending on the tax rates) so the employee pockets exactly $5,000. Use the Net to Gross toggle in our calculator to perform this calculation.
How do pre-tax deductions like 401(k) reduce my taxes?
Pre-tax deductions are subtracted from your gross pay before federal and state income taxes are calculated. This means you pay income tax on a lower amount. For example, if you earn $5,000 per month and contribute $300 to a traditional 401(k), your federal and state taxable income is calculated on $4,700. If you're in the 22% federal bracket, this saves you roughly $66 per month in federal taxes alone. Health insurance premiums paid through an employer-sponsored plan, HSA contributions, and FSA contributions are also pre-tax and additionally exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes, which saves an additional 7.65%.
Which states have no income tax?
Nine U.S. states currently have no state income tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (taxes interest and dividends only, fully phased out as of 2025), South Dakota, Tennessee (phased out), Texas, Washington (no income tax, though there is a capital gains tax), and Wyoming. Living in a no-income-tax state can significantly increase your take-home pay. For example, a $75,000 salary earner in Texas takes home approximately $3,500–$5,000 more per year than the same earner in California, depending on their filing status and deductions.
What is the difference between effective and marginal tax rate?
The marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your last dollar of income — the highest tax bracket you reach. The effective tax rate is the average rate you pay across all your income. The U.S. federal income tax system is progressive, meaning only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. For example, a single filer earning $60,000 in 2026 has a marginal federal rate of 22%, but their effective federal rate is much lower — roughly 12–13% — because the first $11,925 is taxed at 10%, the next $36,550 at 12%, and only the remaining income at 22%. Our calculator displays both so you can understand your actual vs. marginal tax burden.
Why doesn't my calculated net pay match my actual paycheck?
Several factors can cause discrepancies between calculator estimates and actual paychecks. First, this calculator uses simplified state tax rates for progressive states — actual withholding may differ based on your employer's state tax withholding tables and any W-4 allowances or adjustments you've specified. Second, local income taxes (cities like New York City, Philadelphia, and Detroit impose local taxes) are not included. Third, state-specific payroll taxes like California's SDI (0.9%), New Jersey's unemployment and family leave insurance, and Washington's long-term care tax are not modeled. Finally, tax credits you may qualify for reduce your actual tax liability. For precise results, consult your W-4 settings, your employer's payroll system, or a tax professional.