Biweekly Paycheck Calculator
Biweekly pay means 26 paychecks a year (semi-monthly is 24). Divide annual gross by 26, remove FICA and withholding, and you have the check that hits every two weeks — including those two months a year with three checks.
Quick answer: $52,000 a year is $2,000 gross per biweekly check; after simplified federal withholding and 7.65% FICA you keep roughly $1,590–$1,690 depending on state.
| Gross per check ($52,000.00 ÷ 26) | $2,000.00 |
| Federal withholding (simplified single/standard)your W-4 changes this — see the note below | − $156.15 |
| FICA (7.65%) | − $153.00 |
| State tax (custom 5%) | − $100.00 |
Deliberately simplified: a single-filer, standard-deduction federal estimate plus flat FICA and your state rate. Real paychecks vary with your W-4, pre-tax benefits and local taxes. Planning estimate, not tax advice.
| Schedule | 26 checks/year — two months each year have three checks |
|---|---|
| Per-check gross | Annual salary ÷ 26 |
| Deductions | FICA 7.65% + simplified federal + state rate |
Common uses
- Budget around a biweekly schedule (including 3-check months)
- Compare a biweekly offer against a semi-monthly one
- Plan auto-transfers to match the 26-check rhythm
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Biweekly vs semi-monthly — which leaves more?
More Tips & Paycheck Calculators
Take-home pay by state
The same salary nets a different amount in every state, because each one writes its own income tax schedule. These state calculators run the 2026 federal brackets and FICA, then apply the state's own rates and standard deduction.