Take-Home Pay Calculator: Pay After Deductions
Estimate the pay that actually reaches your account, once a combined rate of tax and other deductions is taken from gross pay.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Total deductions | Take-home pay |
|---|---|---|
| 28% off $5,000 | 1,400 | 3,600 |
| 22% off $3,500 | 770 | 2,730 |
| 35% off $9,000 | 3,150 | 5,850 |
| 18% off $2,800 | 504 | 2,296 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter your gross pay and an estimated total deduction rate — a single figure standing in for income tax, payroll taxes, and other withholdings. The calculator removes that share to show take-home pay, with the total deductions shown separately.
The Formula
Percentage of an Amount
Amount is the base value, Percentage is the rate applied to it
Worked Example
On $5,000 of gross pay at a combined 28% deduction rate, deductions come to $1,400 and take-home pay is $3,600. A real paycheck splits that 28% across several lines, but the take-home figure is the same.
Key Insight
Take-home pay is what a budget should be built on, not gross pay. The single blended rate here is an estimate — for an exact figure, add up the specific tax and withholding lines on a real pay stub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is take-home pay?
Take-home pay, or net pay, is what remains of gross pay after tax and other deductions. It is the amount actually deposited to your account.
What does the deduction rate cover?
Use a single rate standing in for income tax, payroll taxes, and any other withholdings such as retirement or insurance contributions.
How do I find my real deduction rate?
Divide the total deductions on a recent pay stub by the gross pay on that stub. That gives the blended rate to enter here.
Why is this only an estimate?
A real paycheck applies several deductions, some at progressive or capped rates. One blended rate is a quick approximation, not an exact payroll calculation.
Should I budget on gross or take-home pay?
On take-home pay. It is the money you can actually spend or save; budgeting on gross pay overstates what is available every month.
Related Calculators
Data Sources & Benchmarks
This calculator draws on 1 independent, dated source.
Methodology & Review
Take-home pay is gross pay less a single combined deduction rate covering tax and withholdings. A real paycheck has several separate deductions; this is a quick estimate from one blended rate.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 17, 2026.