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50/30/20 Budget Calculator

Enter your monthly take-home pay to instantly see how much the popular 50/30/20 rule suggests for needs, wants, and savings — then compare it to what you actually spend.

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Optional — enter what you actually spend to compare against the targets:

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Your 50/30/20 plan
Needs — 50%
$0
Wants — 30%
$0
Savings & debt — 20%
$0

Needs = housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, minimum debt payments. Wants = dining out, subscriptions, travel. The split is a guideline — adjust it to fit your life and cost of living.

How the 50/30/20 budget works

The 50/30/20 rule divides your after-tax income into three simple categories so you don't have to track dozens of line items:

  • 50% — Needs: rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, insurance, transportation, and minimum debt payments.
  • 30% — Wants: dining out, subscriptions, hobbies, travel, and other lifestyle spending.
  • 20% — Savings & debt: emergency fund, retirement, investing, and extra payments above the minimums.

Make it yours

If your needs run over 50% — common in expensive cities — don't abandon the budget; adjust the ratios and protect the savings bucket as much as you can. The goal is a plan you'll actually follow.

Put the savings bucket to work with the Emergency Fund Calculator, and see the full step-by-step in How to Make a Budget. More help in our Banking guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 50/30/20 budget rule?
It's a simple framework that splits your after-tax income into three buckets: 50% for needs (essentials you can't skip), 30% for wants (lifestyle choices), and 20% for savings and extra debt payoff. It's popular because it's easy to remember and flexible.
Does the 50/30/20 rule still work?
It's a starting point, not a law. In high-cost-of-living areas, needs often exceed 50%, so you may shift the ratios — the key is being intentional. Even a 60/25/15 or 70/20/10 split is far better than no plan at all.
What counts as a need versus a want?
Needs are essentials you'd struggle without: housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, transportation, and minimum debt payments. Wants are the nice-to-haves: dining out, streaming services, travel, and upgrades. When unsure, ask whether you could pause it for three months without real harm.

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