Gross to Net Pay Calculator
Calculate take-home pay from gross salary after federal, state, FICA, and other deductions. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Formula
Net Pay = Gross Pay - Federal Tax - State Tax - FICA - Pre-Tax Deductions
Start with your gross pay per period, then subtract federal income tax (based on filing status and tax brackets), state income tax, FICA taxes (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%), and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Single Filer, Bi-Weekly Pay
Problem: A single filer in California earns $3,000 bi-weekly with $200 in pre-tax 401(k) contributions.
Solution: Annual Gross = $3,000 × 26 = $78,000\nFederal Tax: ~$413/period\nState Tax (CA ~7%): ~$210/period\nFICA: ~$230/period\nNet Pay = $3,000 - $413 - $210 - $230 - $200 = ~$1,947
Result: Net Pay: ~$1,947 per pay period | Effective Rate: ~21.6%
Example 2: Married Filing Jointly in Texas
Problem: A married filer in Texas (no state tax) earns $5,000 bi-weekly with $400 in pre-tax deductions.
Solution: Annual Gross = $5,000 × 26 = $130,000\nFederal Tax: ~$565/period\nState Tax: $0 (Texas)\nFICA: ~$383/period\nNet Pay = $5,000 - $565 - $0 - $383 - $400 = ~$3,652
Result: Net Pay: ~$3,652 per pay period | Effective Rate: ~14.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay (or take-home pay) is what you actually receive after federal income tax, state income tax, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), and any pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance, HSA) are subtracted. Your net pay is typically 60-75% of your gross pay, depending on your tax bracket, state, and deductions.
What is adjusted gross income (AGI)?
AGI is gross income minus adjustments like retirement contributions, student loan interest, and HSA contributions. AGI determines eligibility for many deductions and credits.
Is my data stored or sent to a server?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data you enter is ever transmitted to any server or stored anywhere. Your inputs remain completely private.
How do I get the most accurate result?
Enter values as precisely as possible using the correct units for each field. Check that you have selected the right unit (e.g. kilograms vs pounds, meters vs feet) before calculating. Rounding inputs early can reduce output precision.
Is Gross to Net Pay Calculator free to use?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up required. All calculators on NovaCalculator are free to use without registration, subscription, or payment.
Does Gross to Net Pay Calculator work offline?
Once the page is loaded, the calculation logic runs entirely in your browser. If you have already opened the page, most calculators will continue to work even if your internet connection is lost, since no server requests are needed for computation.