Free Child Support Calculator — All 50 States (2026)
Calculate your estimated child support obligation or entitlement instantly. Our calculator uses the actual formulas from your state's official guidelines — covering all 50 states and Washington D.C. No signup. No email. No cost. Just accurate numbers.
Updated April 2026 · Based on current state guidelines
Custody Schedule
Parenting Time Split
73 overnights/year = 20% parenting time
Monthly Income After Support
Where Your Support Goes
Why Use Our Free Child Support Calculator?
Thousands of parents search for a reliable child support estimate each day. Many "free" calculators online are lead-generation forms that require your email, phone number, or a paid subscription before showing results. Ours is different.
Completely Free, No Strings
Run as many calculations as you need. Compare different scenarios. There is no paywall, no account creation, and no "premium" upgrade needed to see your results.
All 50 States + D.C.
Every state has different child support formulas. Our calculator includes the specific model, percentages, and adjustments for each jurisdiction — from Alabama to Wyoming.
What-If Scenarios
Considering a different custody arrangement? Wondering how a raise would affect payments? Adjust inputs instantly and see how your estimated support changes in real time.
100% Private
All calculations run in your browser. Your income, custody details, and personal information are never sent to our servers or stored anywhere. Your data stays on your device.
Based on Official Formulas
We implement the same mathematical models published in each state's statutes and judicial guidelines — not simplified approximations. Results include detailed breakdowns showing exactly how your amount was calculated.
How Child Support Is Calculated in the United States
Child support in the U.S. is governed by state law, and each state uses one of three mathematical models to determine the base obligation. Understanding which model your state uses helps you interpret your results and anticipate what a court might order.
Income Shares Model (41 States + D.C.)
The most common approach. Courts combine both parents' gross or net incomes, then look up the total child-rearing cost for that income level and number of children in a published schedule. Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income. For example, if Parent A earns 60% of the combined income, they are responsible for 60% of the base child support obligation.
States using this model include California, New York, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and most others. The Income Shares model is based on economic research showing that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents lived together.
Percentage of Income Model (6 States)
A simpler approach used by Texas, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Nevada, Alaska, and North Dakota. Only the non-custodial parent's income is considered. A fixed percentage is applied based on the number of children — typically around 20% for one child, 25-27% for two children, and so on. The custodial parent's income is not factored into the formula.
This model is straightforward but can produce results that feel unfair when the custodial parent earns significantly more than the non-custodial parent, since only one income is considered.
Melson Formula (3 States)
Used by Delaware, Hawaii, and Montana, the Melson formula is the most detailed approach. It starts similarly to Income Shares but adds extra steps: first ensuring each parent retains enough income for basic self-support (a "self-support reserve"), then allocating children's primary needs, and finally applying a Standard of Living Adjustment (SOLA) that gives children a share of any remaining income above subsistence levels.
The Melson formula tends to produce higher support amounts at higher income levels because of the SOLA component, while providing more protection for low-income parents through the self-support reserve.
Adjustments That Affect the Final Amount
Regardless of which model your state uses, courts commonly adjust the base obligation for:
- Parenting time (overnights): More overnights with the non-custodial parent typically reduces the support obligation. Most states apply a shared-custody adjustment when overnights exceed a threshold (often 90-110 nights per year).
- Healthcare premiums: The cost of adding the child to a parent's health insurance is usually split proportionally or added to the obligation.
- Childcare costs: Work-related daycare or after-school care is typically added to the base obligation and shared between parents.
- Extraordinary expenses: Special needs, private school tuition, and travel costs for visitation may be factored in depending on the state.
- Other children: Some states reduce the obligation if either parent supports children from another relationship.
State-Specific Features
Child support guidelines vary significantly from state to state — not just in the model used, but in dozens of implementation details. Our calculator accounts for these differences automatically when you select your state.
For example, Texas uses a flat 20% of net income for one child, while California uses a complex formula that considers both incomes and the exact percentage of time each parent has custody. New York caps the combined parental income subject to the basic formula at $163,000 (as of 2025) and applies judicial discretion above that amount.
Some states like Colorado and Arizona have detailed shared-custody formulas that create a smooth reduction curve as overnights increase, while other states use a simpler threshold approach — full obligation below a certain number of overnights, reduced obligation above it.
For detailed guidance on your specific state, visit our state child support calculator pages, which include the exact guidelines, income tables, and adjustment rules for your jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this child support calculator really free?
Yes. Our calculator is 100% free with no signup, no email required, and no hidden fees. You can run unlimited calculations for any state. We believe every parent deserves access to accurate child support estimates without being forced through a marketing funnel.
How accurate is a free child support calculator?
Our calculator uses the same formulas published in each state's official child support guidelines. For straightforward cases, results are typically within 5-10% of what a court would order. However, judges have discretion to deviate from guidelines based on special circumstances such as a child's medical needs, educational expenses, or significant disparity in parents' living standards. For cases involving self-employment income, stock options, or complex asset structures, consulting an attorney is recommended.
Is my information private when using this calculator?
All calculations happen directly in your browser using JavaScript. We do not transmit your income figures, custody details, or any personal information to our servers. Nothing is stored in a database. When you close the page, your data is gone. This is fundamentally different from calculators that require you to create an account — those services necessarily store your information.
Can I use these results in court?
This calculator provides estimates based on official guidelines and is useful for planning and negotiation. Many attorneys and mediators use similar tools for preliminary estimates. However, courts require calculations from the state's official worksheet or approved software. Our results can help you understand what to expect and prepare for discussions, but they should be verified with your attorney or the court's official calculation tool before filing.
Do I need the other parent's income to calculate child support?
It depends on your state. For Income Shares states (41 states including California, New York, and Florida), both parents' incomes are used in the formula — you will get the most accurate estimate by entering both. If you do not know the other parent's exact income, you can estimate based on their occupation or use median income figures as a starting point. For Percentage of Income states (Texas, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Nevada, Alaska, North Dakota), only the non-custodial parent's income is needed.
Related Resources
Child Support by State
State-specific calculators with detailed guidelines and income tables.
Complete Child Support Guide
Everything you need to know about child support — from calculation to modification.
How to Calculate Child Support
Step-by-step walkthrough of each calculation model with examples.
This calculator provides estimates based on publicly available state guidelines and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Child support orders are determined by courts and may differ from calculator estimates based on individual circumstances. Consult a family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.