Personal finance

Budget Calculator

Split your monthly income into needs, wants and savings using the popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Updated for 2026

Your income

$

after tax

Enter your monthly income to see your budget.

Worked example

With these example inputs:

  • Monthly income$5,000

Monthly income: $5,000

  • Needs (50%)$2,500
  • Wants (30%)$1,500
  • Savings (20%)$1,000

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What this budget calculator does

This calculator splits your monthly income into three parts. You enter how much you take home. The tool then shows each share in your chosen currency. It uses the popular 50/30/20 rule. This is a simple budgeting tool. You can test different incomes. The result helps you plan your spending.

What the 50/30/20 rule is

The 50/30/20 rule is a simple way to budget. Half your income goes to needs. Thirty percent goes to wants. Twenty percent goes to savings. It is easy to remember and follow. So it gives your money a clear plan. It works at almost any income.

How it is calculated

The tool takes your monthly income. It applies each share in turn. Half goes to needs. Thirty percent goes to wants. The last fifth goes to savings. The calculator does the math for you.

What the result tells you

The result shows your monthly income. A monthly income of five thousand splits into twenty-five hundred, fifteen hundred, and a thousand. The first is your needs. The second is your wants. The last is your savings. So it shows where each dollar should go. It is a clear plan.

The needs category

Needs take half of your income. These are costs you cannot skip. Rent and utilities count here. So do groceries and transport. Insurance and minimum debt payments count too. So this is your essential spending. Keep it near fifty percent.

The wants category

Wants take thirty percent of your income. These are things you enjoy but could skip. Dining out and travel count here. So do hobbies and subscriptions. They make life more fun. So this is your flexible spending. Trim it first if money is tight.

The savings category

Savings take twenty percent of your income. This builds your future security. An emergency fund comes first. Then retirement and other goals. Extra debt payments fit here too. So this is the part that grows wealth. Pay yourself first each month.

How to use it

Enter your monthly income first. Read each share in your chosen currency. See how much goes to each part. Then compare it to what you spend now. Adjust your habits to fit. Try a different income to plan ahead. Use it to plan your spending.

The limits of this calculator

This tool comes with limits. The 50/30/20 split is just a guide. Your real needs may take more. A high cost of living can shift it. The rule is a start, not a law. So treat it as a guide. So adjust it to your life.

Common mistakes to avoid

A common mistake is mislabeling wants as needs. That inflates your essential share. Another is skipping the savings part. That leaves no cushion for the future. Some use gross income by mistake. Use your take-home pay instead. A clear number keeps you from these slips.

A final tip

Use this to plan your spending. Remember the split is fifty, thirty, and twenty. Base it on your take-home pay. Be honest about needs versus wants. Protect the savings share each month. Do not treat the rule as rigid. Checking the inputs sharpens the result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 50/30/20 rule?

It splits after-tax income into 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment, a simple starting framework for a balanced budget.

What counts as a need versus a want?

Needs are essentials you cannot skip, like housing, food and utilities. Wants are nice-to-haves, like dining out, subscriptions and travel.