LegesGPT Logo
LegesGPT
Free Legal Tools

Free Child Support Calculator

Estimate your monthly child support payment using your state's official guidelines. Child support is set by state law — pick your state below to use the correct formula and get an accurate estimate.

Professional 1
Professional 2
Professional 3

Trusted by 15,000+ legal professionals worldwide

2 Million+ Legal Queries Processed

Select Your State

Each state uses its own guidelines and support schedule. Choose your state to open its dedicated calculator.

Arizona

Income Shares · A.R.S. § 25-320

Open calculator

Colorado

Income Shares · C.R.S. § 14-10-115

Open calculator

Florida

Income Shares · Fla. Stat. § 61.30

Open calculator

Illinois

Income Shares · 750 ILCS 5/505

Open calculator

Indiana

Income Shares · Ind. Child Support Guidelines

Open calculator

New Jersey

Income Shares · Appendix IX-F

Open calculator

North Carolina

Income Shares · N.C.G.S. § 50-13.4

Open calculator

Ohio

Income Shares · Ohio R.C. 3119

Open calculator

Pennsylvania

Income Shares · Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16-3

Open calculator

Virginia

Income Shares · Va. Code § 20-108.2

Open calculator

Wisconsin

Percentage of Income · Wis. Stat. § 767.511

Open calculator

Don't see your state? More state calculators are on the way. Read how the guidelines work below — the underlying models are similar across states.

How Child Support Is Calculated

There is no single national child support formula. Every state sets its own guidelines, but nearly all use one of two models.

Income Shares Model

Used by the majority of states. It combines both parents' gross income, looks up the total support obligation on the state's schedule, and splits it in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income. The parent with fewer overnights typically pays their share to the other.

Percentage of Income Model

Used by a smaller number of states (such as Wisconsin). It applies a flat percentage to the paying parent's income based on the number of children — for example, a set percentage for one child, a higher percentage for two, and so on — with adjustments for shared placement.

What Affects Your Child Support Amount

Both parents' income

Gross income from wages, self-employment, bonuses, and most other sources.

Number of children

The support obligation rises with each additional child covered by the order.

Parenting time / overnights

More shared overnights usually reduces the paying parent's obligation.

Health insurance & childcare

The cost of the children's health coverage and work-related childcare is added in.

Existing support orders

Support already paid for other children can reduce available income.

State guidelines

Each state's schedule and adjustments set the baseline the court starts from.

Why Your State Matters

Two families with identical incomes can owe very different amounts depending on where they live. Use your state's calculator for a figure that reflects its actual support schedule, overnight thresholds, and statutory adjustments — a generic national number would simply be wrong.

Choose your state

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about how child support is calculated

How is child support calculated?

Most U.S. states use the income shares model, which combines both parents' gross income and divides the resulting support obligation in proportion to each parent's share. A few states use the percentage of income model, applying a flat percentage to the paying parent's income. The number of children, parenting time, health insurance, and childcare costs all adjust the final amount.

Is there a single national child support calculator?

No. Child support is governed by state law, and each state has its own guidelines and support schedule — there is no federal formula. Use the calculator for the state where the order is or will be issued. Select your state above to use the correct formula.

What income counts toward child support?

Most states count gross income from nearly all sources: wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, pensions, Social Security, unemployment, and investment income. Some states then apply deductions to reach an adjusted figure. The exact definition varies by state.

Does parenting time reduce child support?

In most states, yes. As the paying parent's share of overnights rises, many state formulas apply a shared-parenting adjustment that lowers the obligation. The threshold and size of the adjustment differ by state.

Are these calculators accurate?

Each state calculator uses that state's official support schedule and statutory formula, so it's a strong starting point. Actual court-ordered support can differ because judges may deviate from the guidelines based on a child's special needs, extraordinary expenses, or the parents' overall circumstances. Treat the result as an estimate, not legal advice.

What if my state isn't listed?

We add new state calculators regularly. If your state isn't available yet, use this page to understand how child support works and which model your state uses, then consult your state's child support agency or a family law attorney — or ask LegesGPT's AI legal assistant.

Explore More Free Legal Tools

Discover our other free tools designed to simplify legal tasks.

Alimony Calculator

Estimate potential alimony and spousal support payments based on income, state guidelines, and marriage duration.

Use tool

Personal Injury Settlement Calculator

Estimate your potential personal injury settlement value based on medical expenses, lost wages, and injury severity.

Use tool

Legal Deadline Calculator

Calculate court filing deadlines, response times, and statute of limitations for federal and state courts.

Use tool
Beyond Calculators

Need AI Legal Help?

LegesGPT's AI legal assistant can answer complex family law questions, review custody and support agreements, and provide comprehensive legal research on child support matters in your state.

Start Free Trial

3-day free trial • Cancel anytime