Pay Stub Generator
Create a professional check stub with real 2026 withholding math — federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare calculated for you. Download as PDF, no signup, no watermark.
EARNINGS STATEMENT
Company name
Pay date: 2026-07-17
Check #: 1
Employee
—
| Earnings | Rate | Hours | Current | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 25.00 | 80 | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 |
| Gross pay | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | ||
| Deductions | Current | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | −156.15 | −156.15 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −124.00 | −124.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −29.00 | −29.00 |
Withholding amounts are 2026 estimates (federal brackets, standard deduction, FICA, state rates) for record-keeping and income documentation. Actual payroll withholding depends on W-4 elections, local taxes, and benefits — verify with your payroll provider.
Unlike template-only paystub makers, this generator computes the deductions for you: pick a state and filing status and the stub fills in realistic 2026 withholding. Small businesses use it for payroll records; freelancers use it as proof of income. Check your own take-home math with the paycheck calculator, total hours first with the time card calculator, or bill clients with the invoice generator.
How It Works
Enter the details
Employer, employee, pay period dates, and hourly rate or salary.
Taxes auto-calculate
Federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare withholding fill in with 2026 rates.
Download the PDF
A clean earnings statement with current and YTD columns — no watermark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a pay stub?+
Enter the employer and employee details, pick the pay frequency and pay type (hourly or salary), and add the hours or salary for the period. The stub preview updates live with gross pay, federal and state withholding, Social Security, Medicare, and net pay — then click Download PDF.
Are the tax amounts on the stub accurate?+
Withholding is estimated with 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security to the $184,500 wage base, Medicare including the 0.9% additional tax, and 2026 state income tax rates. Actual payroll withholding also depends on W-4 elections, local taxes, and benefits, so treat the stub as a close estimate.
Is a check stub the same as a pay stub?+
Yes — pay stub, check stub, paycheck stub, and earnings statement all refer to the same document: a per-period record of gross pay, deductions, and net pay. This generator produces a standard earnings-statement layout.
Can self-employed people use this?+
Yes. Freelancers and contractors often need pay stubs as proof of income. Enter your business as the employer and yourself as the employee. For 1099 income, remember stubs document what you paid yourself — they do not replace tax filings.
How is year-to-date (YTD) calculated?+
Set "pay periods paid this year" to how many checks (including this one) have been issued this year. YTD columns multiply the current period by that count — assuming equal checks. For uneven pay history, generate each stub separately.
Is it legal to make your own pay stub?+
Creating a pay stub that truthfully documents wages you paid or received is legal and common for small businesses and the self-employed. Falsifying income on a stub to obtain a loan or lease is fraud — always enter real figures.