About PayStubCalc

PayStubCalc is a free online paycheck calculator designed to help everyday workers, job seekers, and small business owners understand their take-home pay before and after taxes.

Our Mission

Most people are hired, handed a salary number, and left to figure out on their own how much of it they'll actually see in their bank account. Payroll taxes, state income taxes, FICA, and benefit deductions can silently take 25–40% of a paycheck — often more. We built PayStubCalc to change that.

Our goal is simple: give anyone — from a new graduate accepting their first job offer to a seasoned professional evaluating a cross-state relocation — an immediate, accurate picture of their net pay. No registration, no ads cluttering the calculator, no credit card required.

What We Offer

Free Paycheck Calculator

Estimate take-home pay for any salary, hourly rate, pay frequency, filing status, and state — updated for 2026 tax brackets.

Compare Two Job Offers

Side-by-side comparison of two job offers' actual net pay, accounting for state tax differences that gross salary alone can't reveal.

Educational Articles

In-depth guides on pay stubs, payroll deductions, self-employment taxes, and more — written in plain English.

Annually Updated

Our tax brackets, FICA rates, and standard deductions are updated each year to reflect current IRS and state tax authority figures.

Who Uses PayStubCalc

  • Job seekers comparing offers across different states and salary levels
  • New employees who want to understand their first paycheck before it arrives
  • Small business owners estimating payroll costs before hiring
  • Freelancers and contractors estimating self-employment tax obligations
  • HR professionals quickly verifying salary-to-net-pay estimates for candidates
  • Personal finance enthusiasts building accurate budgets based on real take-home pay

Accuracy and Limitations

PayStubCalc uses current federal tax brackets, FICA rates, standard deductions, and state income tax rates to produce estimates. Our calculations are designed to be as accurate as possible for a general-purpose tool.

However, your actual net pay may differ because our calculator does not account for:

  • Pre-tax benefit deductions (401(k), health insurance, HSA)
  • Local or city income taxes
  • Tax credits beyond the standard deduction
  • Non-wage income that affects your effective rate
  • Wage garnishments or other mandatory post-tax deductions

For payroll decisions affecting real paychecks, we recommend consulting IRS Publication 15-T, your state's withholding tables, and, for complex situations, a qualified tax professional.

Contact Us

Have a question, found an error in our calculations, or want to suggest a feature? We'd love to hear from you.