How the calculators work
Every calculation runs in your browser as you type. Time cards add up each in/out pair, subtract unpaid breaks and apply the overtime rule you pick: the federal 40-hour week under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the daily rules of California, Alaska, Nevada and Colorado. Rounding follows the U.S. Department of Labor guidance on rounding to 5, 6 or 15 minutes.
The paycheck and bonus calculators use the IRS percentage method from Publication 15-T for federal withholding, Publication 15 for Social Security, Medicare and supplemental wages, and each state's own tax rates, deductions and payroll programs such as disability and paid leave.
Where the numbers come from
Tax rates and limits come from official sources: the IRS, state revenue departments and state labor agencies. Every rate on the site has a source link next to it. The 2026 rates were last checked on November 3, 2026. We check them again whenever the IRS or a state publishes new tables, and at least every January.
What the results are and are not
Results are estimates for planning, checking a paycheck and keeping records. Your employer's payroll software can differ by a few cents because of rounding, local taxes or benefits we do not see. Overtime and break rules depend on your state and job classification. HourWage is not tax, legal or financial advice; for your situation, ask your employer, a tax professional or the agency linked on the page.
The formulas and our checks against IRS and state examples: how we calculate.
Found a wrong number or a rate that changed? Tell us and we will fix it.