Bi-weekly Paycheck Calculator: Estimate Your Take-Home Pay

How to Use Our Bi-weekly Paycheck Calculator

To get an accurate estimate of your net paycheck, you’ll need to enter some information about your earnings and tax situation, which can typically be found on your company’s hiring paperwork or a previous pay stub.

Your Gross Pay

• Annual Salary: Enter your total yearly salary before any taxes or deductions. The calculator will automatically divide this by 26 to determine your bi-weekly gross pay.

• Bi-weekly Gross Pay: If you prefer, you can enter your gross pay for a single two-week pay period directly.

Federal Income Tax Withholding

This information comes from your Form W-4.

• Filing Status: Select the status you use when you file your federal income taxes: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household.

• Number of Dependents: Enter the total number of dependents you claim on your W-4. This typically includes children or other qualifying relatives and is used to calculate tax credits that reduce your withholding.

Pre-Tax Deductions

These are funds taken from your paycheck before income taxes are calculated, which lowers your total taxable income.

• 401(k) or 403(b) Contribution: Enter the percentage of your gross pay or the flat dollar amount you contribute to your traditional retirement account each pay period.

• Health & Dental Insurance: Enter the amount you pay for your health, dental, or vision insurance premiums each pay period.

• HSA or FSA Contribution: Enter any amount you contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Post-Tax Deductions

These are funds taken from your paycheck after all taxes have been calculated.

• Roth 401(k) Contribution: Enter the percentage or flat dollar amount you contribute to a Roth retirement account.

• Other Garnishments: Use this field for any other deductions, such as union dues, disability insurance, or charitable contributions.

Understanding Your Results: Gross Pay vs. Take-Home Pay

The final number the calculator provides is your Net Pay, more commonly known as your take-home pay. This is the actual amount of money that will be deposited into your bank account. The difference between your gross pay and your net pay is determined by taxes and deductions.

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how your paycheck is calculated:

Key Taxes Explained:

• Federal Income Tax: This is a progressive tax withheld by your employer on behalf of the IRS. The amount withheld depends heavily on your income and the information you provide on your Form W-4.

• FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) Taxes: This is a mandatory U.S. payroll tax that funds two major programs:

  • Social Security: For 2025, the rate is 6.2% on all earnings up to the annual wage limit of $177,300 (estimated). You do not pay Social Security tax on any income earned above this limit for the year.

  • Medicare: For 2025, the rate is 1.45% on all of your earnings, with no wage limit. High earners may also be subject to an Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between bi-weekly and semi-monthly pay?

This is a common point of confusion.

• Bi-weekly: You are paid every two weeks. This results in 26 paychecks per year.

• Semi-monthly: You are paid twice a month, typically on specific dates like the 15th and the 30th. This results in 24 paychecks per year. A bi-weekly paycheck will be slightly smaller than a semi-monthly one, but the two “extra” paychecks make up the difference over the year.

What are the “extra” two paychecks in a bi-weekly schedule?

Because you receive a paycheck every two weeks, there will be two months in the year where you receive three paychecks instead of the usual two. This can be a significant advantage for budgeting, as you can use these “extra” paychecks to pay down debt, boost your savings, or cover a large expense without touching your regular monthly budget.

How does my W-4 form affect my paycheck?

Your Form W-4 (“Employee’s Withholding Certificate”) is one of the most important factors determining your take-home pay. It tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold. Claiming dependents, for example, results in a tax credit that directly reduces the amount of tax withheld, increasing your net pay. It’s important to fill it out accurately to avoid underpaying (and owing the IRS later) or overpaying (and giving the government an interest-free loan).

I live in Houston, TX. Do I have to pay state or local income tax?

No. Texas is one of the nine states with no state income tax. This provides a significant boost to your take-home pay compared to residents of states that do have an income tax. You will not see any withholding for state or city income tax on your Texas pay stub.

How do pre-tax deductions like a 401(k) save me money now?

When you contribute to a traditional 401(k) or pay for health insurance premiums, that money is taken out of your paycheck before your income tax is calculated. This lowers your total taxable income, which in turn reduces the amount of tax you owe.

Concrete Example:

• With 401(k): Gross pay of $3,000, less a $180 (6%) 401(k) contribution, equals a taxable income of $2,820.

• Without 401(k): Gross pay of $3,000 is fully taxed. By contributing to your 401(k), you are not paying income tax on that $180, which saves you money on your tax bill today while you save for the future.

What is the difference between a traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k)?

• Traditional 401(k): Pre-tax contributions. You get a tax break now, but you will pay income tax on your withdrawals in retirement.

• Roth 401(k): Post-tax contributions. You pay taxes on the money now, but your qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free.

I’m an independent contractor. Can I use this calculator?

This calculator is designed for salaried or hourly employees (W-2 workers). Independent contractors and freelancers (1099 workers) have a different tax structure. You are responsible for paying your own self-employment taxes (which includes both the employer and employee portions of FICA, totaling 15.3%) and making quarterly estimated tax payments.

How can I increase my take-home pay?

You have a few options to potentially increase your net paycheck:

1. Adjust Your W-4: If you consistently get a large tax refund, you are overpaying. You can adjust your withholding on your W-4 to have less tax taken out of each check.

2. Lower Insurance Costs: During your company’s open enrollment period, review your health insurance options. A high-deductible plan might have lower monthly premiums.

3. Contribute to an FSA/HSA: Using pre-tax dollars for predictable medical expenses reduces your taxable income.

4. Temporarily Reduce 401(k) Contributions: While not recommended for the long term, reducing your retirement contributions will increase your net pay in the short term.

Understanding your bi-weekly paycheck is the foundation of smart financial planning. Once you know your net income, you can see how it translates to other pay frequencies with our Salary Calculator. If you’re paid by the hour, our Hourly to Salary Calculator can help you understand your annual earning potential. This knowledge is the first step toward major goals, like figuring out what you can afford with our Mortgage Calculator.