Child Support Calculator

Estimate monthly child support as a percentage of the paying parent’s income, based on Wisconsin’s percentage-of-income standard (17% for one child up to 34% for five or more). Every state uses its own guideline. Calculates in your browser.

Estimated monthly support

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Percentage of income-
Per year-

Show the math

Wisconsin's percentage-of-income standard takes a fixed share of the paying parent's income:

support = payer's monthly gross income × percentage

17% (1 child) · 25% (2) · 29% (3) · 31% (4) · 34% (5 or more)

These are the percentages in Wisconsin's child support rule (Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.035(2), formerly DCF 150.03(1)). The other parent's income doesn't change the amount under this standard. When both parents have the children at least 25% of overnights, Wisconsin uses a separate shared-placement formula (DCF 150.035(1)), and courts may use lower percentages for low-income payers and on the part of income from $7,000 a month up (DCF 150.04). None of those are modeled here.

Rough estimate only. Every state sets its own guideline, and many use an income-shares schedule that counts both parents' incomes, so your state's amount can be quite different. Health care and child care costs are added separately. Use your state's official calculator or an attorney for real figures. All math runs locally in your browser.

What this does

A child support calculator that estimates monthly support as a fixed percentage of the paying parent’s gross income, using Wisconsin’s percentage-of-income standard (Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150.035(2), formerly DCF 150.03(1)). Every state uses its own guideline, so treat it as a rough estimate.

How it works

The percentage depends only on the number of children: 17% for one, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five or more. The other parent’s income does not change the amount under this standard.

support = payer’s monthly gross income × percentage

How to use it

  1. Enter the paying parent’s monthly gross income.
  2. Enter the number of children.
  3. Read the estimated monthly support and the percentage used.

Understanding your result

This is a rough estimate only. Many states use an income-shares guideline that counts both parents’ incomes, and Wisconsin itself uses a different formula for shared placement (both parents with at least 25% of overnights) and may use lower percentages for low-income payers and on income from $7,000 a month up. Health care and child care are added separately, so use your state’s official calculator for real figures.

Example

A paying parent with $4,000 a month of gross income and two children: 25% × $4,000 = $1,000 a month ($12,000 a year).

Sources & methodology

Last updated .

Frequently asked questions

How is child support estimated?

It uses Wisconsin’s percentage-of-income standard: the paying parent’s monthly gross income times 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, or 34% for five or more.

Why doesn’t it ask for the other parent’s income?

Under a percentage-of-income standard the amount depends only on the paying parent’s income. States that use an income-shares guideline do count both incomes, which is one reason your state’s figure may differ.

What about shared custody?

Not covered. In Wisconsin, when both parents have the children at least 25% of overnights (92 a year), a separate shared-placement formula applies (DCF 150.035(1)). Other states have their own parenting-time rules.

Is this my state’s actual amount?

No. Every state has its own guideline and add-ons, so this is only a rough estimate. Use your state’s official calculator for real figures.

Does it include health care or daycare?

No. This is a base estimate only; courts add those costs on top.

Is my data kept?

No. Everything is computed locally in your browser.