Take-Home Pay Percentage Calculator
Enter your gross pay and total deductions to see your net (take-home) pay and what percentage of your paycheck you actually keep.
| Gross pay | |
| Total deductions | |
| Net (take-home) pay | |
| Percentage kept | |
| Percentage deducted |
How to calculate your take-home pay percentage
Start with your net pay: subtract total deductions from gross pay. Then divide net pay by gross pay and multiply by 100 to get the percentage you keep. The formula is: take-home % = (gross pay − deductions) ÷ gross pay × 100.
For example, if you earn $5,000 gross per month and $1,350 is withheld for taxes, insurance, and retirement contributions, your net pay is 5,000 − 1,350 = $3,650. Your take-home percentage is 3,650 ÷ 5,000 × 100 = 73%, which means 27% of your paycheck goes to deductions.
Tracking this percentage over time makes it easy to spot changes from a raise, a new tax bracket, a benefits change, or an adjusted 401(k) contribution — even when the dollar amounts on your pay stub are hard to compare.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a deduction?
Anything withheld before your paycheck reaches you: federal, state, and local income taxes, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), health and other insurance premiums, retirement contributions like a 401(k), and items such as wage garnishments or union dues. Your pay stub lists them all — add them together for the total.
What is a typical take-home pay percentage in the US?
Most US workers keep roughly 65–80% of gross pay, but it varies widely with income level, state taxes, filing status, and how much you contribute to retirement and insurance. Higher earners and residents of high-tax states generally keep a smaller share.
Is net pay the same as take-home pay?
Yes. Net pay and take-home pay both mean what's left after all deductions are subtracted from gross pay — the amount actually deposited into your bank account.