Child Support Calculator

Q: Who is the obligor and who is the obligee?

The obligor is the parent who pays child support. In this calculator, that is Parent 1. The obligee is the parent who receives child support. In this calculator, that is Parent 2.

Updated Jun 9, 2026 By Jehan Wadia

Introduction

Child support is money one parent pays to the other to help cover the costs of raising their kids. Courts use a formula based on both parents' incomes to figure out how much the paying parent owes each month. Our Child Support Calculator uses the income shares model, which is the method most states follow. It looks at what each parent earns, subtracts allowed deductions like health insurance and taxes, and then splits the total child support amount based on each parent's share of the combined income.

This tool lets you enter gross income, insurance premiums, union dues, state taxes, and the number of children in your support order. It then gives you a monthly child support estimate in seconds. You can choose Guided Mode if you are a parent doing this for the first time, or Professional Mode if you are an attorney or caseworker who needs to move fast. The calculator also shows a full breakdown of every step, charts of each parent's income share, and a table that compares obligations for one through six children.

Keep in mind that this calculator gives an estimate only. Every state has its own guidelines, and a judge may adjust the final amount based on factors like childcare costs, special needs, or custody arrangements. Always check your state's rules or talk to a family law attorney for exact numbers.

How to Use Our Child Support Calculator

Enter income and expense details for both parents below. The calculator will estimate how much the paying parent owes each month in child support.

Choose Your Experience: Pick "Guided Mode" if you are a parent or new user. Pick "Professional Mode" if you are a lawyer or caseworker who wants to enter data fast.

Parent 1 Employment Type: Select "Employee" if Parent 1 works for someone else. Select "Self-Employed" if Parent 1 runs their own business. If you need to understand the tax implications of self-employment, our Self Employment Tax Calculator can help you estimate those costs.

Parent 1 Income Frequency: Choose how often Parent 1 gets paid, such as monthly, weekly, or hourly. If you need to convert between pay frequencies, our Hourly to Salary Calculator or Salary to Hourly Calculator can make that easier.

Parent 1 Gross Income: Enter the total income Parent 1 earns before taxes. Include wages, bonuses, tips, and any other money received. If you are unsure of your total yearly earnings, try our Annual Income Calculator.

Parent 1 Hours Per Week: If you chose "Hourly" for income frequency, enter how many hours Parent 1 works each week.

Parent 1 Health/Medical Insurance: Enter the monthly cost Parent 1 pays for the children's health insurance.

Parent 1 Dental Insurance: Enter the monthly cost Parent 1 pays for the children's dental insurance.

Parent 1 Union Dues: Enter the monthly amount Parent 1 pays in union dues, if any.

Parent 1 State Income Tax: Enter how much Parent 1 pays each month in state income tax. If you need help estimating your state and federal tax burden, our Income Tax Calculator or Tax Bracket Calculator can give you a closer number.

Parent 2 Employment Type: Select "Employee" if Parent 2 works for someone else. Select "Self-Employed" if Parent 2 runs their own business.

Parent 2 Income Frequency: Choose how often Parent 2 gets paid, such as monthly, weekly, or hourly.

Parent 2 Gross Income: Enter the total income Parent 2 earns before taxes. Include wages, bonuses, tips, and any other money received.

Parent 2 Hours Per Week: If you chose "Hourly" for income frequency, enter how many hours Parent 2 works each week.

Parent 2 Health/Medical Insurance: Enter the monthly cost Parent 2 pays for the children's health insurance.

Parent 2 Dental Insurance: Enter the monthly cost Parent 2 pays for the children's dental insurance.

Parent 2 Union Dues: Enter the monthly amount Parent 2 pays in union dues, if any.

Parent 2 State Income Tax: Enter how much Parent 2 pays each month in state income tax.

Children in This Order: Use the slider to pick how many children under 18 are covered by this child support order.

Children Outside This Order: Enter the number of other children Parent 1 is legally required to support. This lowers the income used in the calculation.

Calculate: Press this button to see your results. The calculator will show the estimated monthly child support payment, each parent's income share, and a full breakdown of every step.

Reset: Press this button to clear all fields and start over with the default values.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is money one parent pays to the other parent to help cover the costs of raising their children. When parents live apart, both parents are still responsible for their children's basic needs like food, housing, clothing, and medical care. A court usually orders the parent who does not live with the children most of the time to pay child support each month to the parent who does.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

Most states use the income shares model to figure out child support. This model looks at how much money both parents earn. It then estimates how much the parents would have spent on their children if they still lived together. Each parent pays a share of that amount based on how much they earn compared to the other parent. The parent who earns more pays a bigger share. To understand what your income looks like after all deductions, you can use our Take Home Pay Calculator or Paycheck Calculator to see your actual net pay.

What Affects the Amount?

Several things change how much child support a parent owes. The biggest factors are each parent's gross income, the number of children in the order, and allowable deductions like health insurance premiums, dental insurance, union dues, and state taxes. If the paying parent already supports other children from a different relationship, that can lower the amount too. Self-employed parents also have a small extra adjustment for self-employment taxes. Managing the resulting payment alongside other financial obligations is important—tools like the Debt Payoff Calculator and the Monthly Income Calculator can help you plan your overall budget. If child support affects how much house you can afford, consider running the numbers with our Home Affordability Calculator or DTI Calculator to see where you stand.

Important Things to Know

This calculator gives you an estimate only. Every state has its own guidelines, and a judge can adjust the final amount based on special circumstances like childcare costs, medical needs, or custody arrangements. The amount a court orders may be higher or lower than what this tool shows. For an exact number, speak with a family law attorney in your state or contact your local child support agency. Once you know your obligation, building an emergency fund and tracking your net worth can help both parents stay financially stable for their children.

Frequently asked questions

What is the income shares model?

The income shares model is the method most states use to set child support. It adds up both parents' net incomes, estimates what they would spend on their kids if they lived together, and then splits that cost based on each parent's share of the total income. The parent who earns more pays a larger portion.

Who is the obligor and who is the obligee?

The obligor is the parent who pays child support. In this calculator, that is Parent 1. The obligee is the parent who receives child support. In this calculator, that is Parent 2.

What counts as gross income for child support?

Gross income includes all money a parent earns before taxes. This covers wages, salaries, bonuses, tips, commissions, overtime, investment income, rental income, alimony received, disability benefits, retirement income, and unemployment benefits. If you receive it regularly, it likely counts.

How does self-employment change the calculation?

When you select self-employed, the calculator adds a 7.65% self-employment tax adjustment to your deductions. This accounts for the extra Social Security and Medicare taxes that self-employed workers pay compared to regular employees whose employers cover half of those taxes.

What is the insurance credit and how does it work?

If Parent 1 pays for the children's health or dental insurance, those monthly premiums are subtracted from their obligation. This is called an insurance credit. It prevents the paying parent from being charged twice for costs they already cover directly.

How do children outside this order affect the result?

If Parent 1 legally supports other children from a different relationship, the calculator reduces their available income. This lowers the combined income used in the formula, which means the child support amount for this order goes down. The more outside children, the bigger the reduction.

What is the difference between Guided Mode and Professional Mode?

Both modes show the same fields and produce the same results. Guided Mode is designed for parents and first-time users who want helpful tips and plain language. Professional Mode is built for attorneys and caseworkers who already know the terms and want to enter data quickly.

Can I use this calculator for any state?

This calculator uses a general income shares formula that applies to most states. However, every state has its own specific guidelines, percentages, and rules. The result is a close estimate, but your state's actual worksheet may produce a different number. Always check your state's child support guidelines for exact figures.

What if one parent has no income?

Enter zero for that parent's gross income. The calculator will assign 100% of the income share to the other parent. In real cases, a court may assign imputed income to a parent who is able to work but chooses not to, meaning the judge assumes they earn a certain amount.

What does the basic support obligation mean?

The basic support obligation is the total monthly amount both parents are expected to spend on their children combined. It is based on the combined net income and the number of children. Each parent then owes their percentage of this total based on their share of the combined income.

How do I know which income frequency to pick?

Choose the frequency that matches how you get paid. If your paycheck comes once a month, pick monthly. If you get paid every two weeks, pick bi-weekly. If you earn an hourly wage, pick hourly and enter your hours per week. The calculator converts everything to a monthly amount automatically.

Does this calculator include childcare or daycare costs?

No. This calculator covers the basic child support obligation based on income and standard deductions. Many states add childcare, daycare, and extraordinary medical expenses on top of the basic obligation. A court may include those costs in your final order separately.

Can a judge order a different amount than what this calculator shows?

Yes. A judge can adjust child support up or down based on factors like custody time, special medical needs, travel costs for visitation, childcare expenses, and each parent's living situation. The calculator gives an estimate, not a court order.

Does custody time affect child support?

In many states, yes. If the paying parent has the children for a large portion of the time, the court may reduce the child support amount. This calculator does not factor in custody time, so your actual obligation may differ if you share significant parenting time.

What deductions can I subtract from gross income?

This calculator lets you subtract health insurance premiums, dental insurance premiums, union dues, and state income taxes. These are the most common deductions states allow. Some states also permit retirement contributions or other mandatory payroll deductions that are not included here.

How often can child support be changed?

Either parent can ask the court to modify child support when there is a big change in circumstances. Common reasons include a job loss, a large raise, a new child, or a change in custody. Most states allow a review every two to three years even without a major change.

What happens if the paying parent does not pay?

If a parent falls behind on child support, the state can take action. This may include wage garnishment, seizing tax refunds, suspending a driver's license, placing liens on property, or even jail time in serious cases. Unpaid child support does not go away and will keep adding up with possible interest.

Is child support taxable income?

No. Under current federal tax law, child support payments are not taxable income for the parent who receives them. The parent who pays child support cannot deduct those payments from their taxes either. Child support is tax-neutral for both parents.

At what age does child support end?

In most states, child support ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. Some states extend support to age 19 or 21, especially if the child is still in school or has a disability. Check your state's rules for the exact cutoff.

Can I save or print my results?

You can use your browser's built-in print function to save the results as a PDF or print them on paper. Press Ctrl + P on a PC or Cmd + P on a Mac after calculating your results. The full breakdown table and charts will be included.