50-30-20 Budget Calculator
Use this budget calculator to split your take-home pay into needs (50%), wants (30%), and savings (20%). Enter your monthly income after taxes and see exactly how much to put toward each category—or customize the percentages to fit your situation.
How to use this budget calculator
Enter your monthly take-home pay (what hits your bank after tax and deductions). The calculator uses the 50-30-20 rule by default: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings and debt payoff. Use the sliders to adjust if you have high housing costs or want to save more—the amounts update instantly.
Why use a budget calculator with your paycheck?
A budget calculator that starts with take-home pay shows you exactly how much to spend on needs (rent, groceries, utilities, minimum payments), wants (dining, entertainment, subscriptions), and savings or debt payoff. The 50-30-20 rule keeps it simple so you can stay consistent. Use it after you run your paycheck calculator to see your net pay, then plug that number here to plan your spending and saving.
When to use the 50-30-20 rule
The 50-30-20 rule works best when you have a predictable monthly income and want a simple framework. If your housing costs eat more than 50% of take-home (e.g. in expensive cities), use a 60-20-20 or custom split in this budget calculator so needs are covered first. The rule is a starting point—adjust the sliders until the numbers match your reality, then track spending in each bucket.
Tips for sticking to your budget
Pay yourself first: move the savings portion to a separate account as soon as you get paid. Use the needs amount for fixed bills and essentials only; if you overspend on wants, trim there before touching savings. Run this budget calculator whenever your income or goals change (raise, new job, new rent) so your targets stay realistic. Pair it with our savings goal and debt payoff calculators to put the 20% to work.