50/30/20 Budget Calculator
Enter your take-home pay to see your needs, wants and savings targets. Then compare them with what you actually spend.
How you compare
Black markers show your targets.
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How this calculator works
The 50/30/20 rule divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 50% for needs (housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, transportation and minimum debt payments), 30% for wants (everything you choose to spend on), and 20% for savings and extra debt payments.
If the classic split doesn't fit your situation, for example because rent is high where you live, try 60/20/20 or 70/20/10, or set your own percentages. Per-paycheck amounts assume biweekly pay (26 paychecks a year).
Want the full explanation? Read our guide: The 50/30/20 Rule: A Simple Budget That Actually Works.
This calculator is for education and planning only. It isn't financial advice, and results are estimates based on the numbers you enter.
Questions & answers
Should I use gross or take-home pay?
Use take-home (after-tax) pay: the amount that actually reaches your bank account.
Do minimum debt payments count as needs?
Yes. Minimum payments are needs. Anything extra you pay toward debt counts toward the 20% savings and debt bucket.
What if my needs are more than 50%?
That's common. Try a 60/20/20 or 70/20/10 split for now, and look for one or two big needs you can reduce over time.
Is my information saved or shared?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.