How to use it
- Enter your rate and typical weekly hours, including overtime.
- Choose how often you're paid and your filing status.
- Add pre-tax deductions per paycheck (401(k), health insurance) if you have them.
- State income tax isn't included; for your state's take-home pay, see StateCalcs.
The formula
Gross per paycheck = (rate × hours + rate × 1.5 × overtime hours) × 52 ÷ paychecks per year
Federal tax = 2026 brackets on (annual gross − pre-tax − standard deduction), spread over the year
Social Security 6.2% (up to $184,500) + Medicare 1.45%
Example: $25/hour, 40 hours, paid biweekly, single: $2,000 gross. Social Security $124, Medicare $29, federal income tax about $156. Take-home before state tax ≈ $1,691.
Good to know
- Actual withholding depends on your Form W-4, so your paycheck can differ by a few dollars from this estimate.
- 401(k) contributions lower income tax but not Social Security or Medicare. Section 125 health premiums usually lower both; we treat all pre-tax deductions conservatively, as 401(k)-style.
- Nine states have no tax on wages, including Texas, Florida and Washington.
Questions
How do I calculate my paycheck from hourly pay?
Multiply your rate by your hours (adding 1.5× for overtime) to get gross pay, then subtract federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), state tax and any deductions.
How much is $20 an hour after taxes?
About $1,370 per biweekly paycheck for a single filer working 40 hours in 2026, before state tax. Gross pay is $1,600; Social Security and Medicare take $122 and federal income tax about $108.
Why is my first paycheck different?
Partial pay periods, one-time deductions (benefit enrollment) and how your W-4 was set up all change the first check.