How your spending compares
| Category | Target | You now | Difference |
|---|
A budget split is a guide, not a rule. Adjust it to your costs and goals. For education only, not financial advice.
What this 50/30/20 calculator does
This 50/30/20 calculator turns your monthly take-home pay into a simple budget. Enter your pay, and it shows:
- how much to spend on needs (50%)
- how much to spend on wants (30%)
- how much to put toward savings and extra debt payments (20%)
- how much you'd save in a year at that rate
You can also switch to other popular splits, such as 60/20/20 or 70/20/10, set your own percentages, and compare the targets with what you actually spend now.
How to use it
- Monthly take-home pay: what lands in your account after tax and deductions. If your pay varies, use an average of the last three months.
- Budget split: start with 50/30/20, or choose another preset. Choose Custom to set your own percentages (they must add up to 100%).
- Compare with what you spend now (optional): enter your current monthly needs, wants and savings. The calculator shows where you're over or under, and how much you'd need to find to hit your savings target.
What counts as needs, wants and savings?
Needs are bills you'd still have to pay if your income stopped: rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, transport to work, insurance and minimum debt payments.
Wants are things you enjoy but could cut: eating out, streaming and subscriptions, shopping, hobbies and holidays.
Savings and extra debt payments include your emergency fund, retirement and investment contributions, and any debt payments above the minimum.
For a full explanation, read our guide to the 50/30/20 budget rule.
Example: $4,000 a month
| Split | Needs | Wants | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50/30/20 | $2,000 | $1,200 | $800 |
| 60/20/20 | $2,400 | $800 | $800 |
| 70/20/10 | $2,800 | $800 | $400 |
See a full line-by-line example in the 50/30/20 rule on $4,000 a month.
Which split should you use?
- 50/30/20 is a balanced starting point for average living costs.
- 60/20/20 suits higher housing costs, while still saving 20%.
- 70/20/10 is a temporary plan for very tight budgets. Aim to move back toward 20% savings.
- 40/30/30 suits lower costs or an aggressive savings goal.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use gross or take-home pay?
Take-home pay. The 50/30/20 rule is designed for the money you actually have to spend after tax.
What if my needs are more than 50%?
That's common, especially with high rent. Try a 60/20/20 split, then look for ways to lower your biggest fixed costs over time.
Are debt payments needs or savings?
Minimum payments are needs. Anything you pay above the minimum counts toward the 20%.
Is my data saved?
No. The calculator runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is stored.
Related tools and guides
- Savings goal calculator
- Credit card payoff calculator
- How to build an emergency fund
- All free money calculators
This calculator is for education only and is not financial advice. Budget splits are guidelines; adjust them to your own costs and goals.