Paycheck transparency
Pay Stub Calculator
Quick answer: This pay stub calculator helps employees understand each paycheck deduction, from federal tax and FICA to pre-tax and post-tax withholdings.
Enter your details below and see your result instantly — no sign-up required.
Most people do not fully understand what every line on their pay stub means or why take-home pay is so much lower than gross pay. This pay stub calculator acts like a paycheck breakdown calculator, answering the common question of what do all these deductions mean so each line is easier to follow and there are fewer surprises on payday.
Break down every paycheck line by line
Enter your gross pay, frequency, filing status, state, and deductions to estimate what each paycheck is really worth after taxes and withholding.
Earnings
Pre-tax Deductions
Taxes Withheld
Post-tax Deductions
State tax is estimated. Your actual withholding may differ. Federal withholding is also simplified here and uses 2025 IRS tax brackets and standard deductions rather than a full employer payroll system.
What every line on your pay stub means
Gross pay
Your gross pay is the starting number on the stub. It is what you earned before taxes, insurance, retirement contributions, and any other deductions come out.
FICA
FICA is the payroll-tax umbrella for Social Security and Medicare. These taxes are separate from federal income tax and are withheld from most employee paychecks automatically.
Federal withholding
This is money your employer sends to the IRS on your behalf during the year. The amount is influenced by your filing status, W-4 settings, pay level, and other withholding adjustments.
State withholding
Many states also withhold income tax from each paycheck. Some states have no income tax at all, while others withhold more aggressively depending on income and state rules.
Pre-tax deductions
These deductions come out before income tax is calculated. Common examples include traditional 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and flexible spending account contributions.
Post-tax deductions
These come out after taxes have already been calculated. Roth contributions, supplemental insurance, and some garnishments often show up here.
Net pay
Net pay is what finally lands in your bank account. It is your gross pay minus taxes withheld, pre-tax deductions, and post-tax deductions.
How to increase your take-home pay legally
- Increase pre-tax 401(k) or traditional retirement contributions if your budget can handle it, because they often reduce current taxable income.
- Update your W-4 when your filing situation changes so withholding is closer to your real tax picture.
- Use FSA or HSA contributions when available because they can reduce taxable wages while covering qualified expenses.
- Check your state tax situation if you move, work remotely across state lines, or live in a no-income-tax state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because your paycheck is reduced by payroll taxes, federal and state withholding, and any benefit or retirement deductions before the money reaches your account.
FICA covers Social Security and Medicare. These payroll taxes help fund those programs and are withheld from most employee paychecks automatically.
They reduce the wages that are subject to income tax, which can lower withholding now while still funding benefits like retirement accounts or health coverage.
Yes. You can submit an updated Form W-4 to your employer if your filing status, credits, outside income, or withholding preference changes.