50/30/20 Rule Calculator
Split your take-home pay into needs, wants, and savings - then check it against what you actually spend.
Your numbers
Split preset
Custom split
Your monthly budget
Where each part goes
Compare with your actual spending (optional)
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
The 50/30/20 rule is a simple budgeting method popularized by Senator Elizabeth Warren: take your after-tax income and split it three ways - 50% to needs (rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, transport, insurance, minimum debt payments), 30% to wants (dining out, entertainment, hobbies, subscriptions, travel), and 20% to savings and extra debt repayment (emergency fund, retirement, investments, paying debt down faster).
Needs 50% · Wants 30% · Savings 20% of take-home (after-tax) pay
How to use this calculator
Enter your take-home pay (what actually lands in your account, per month, week, or year). The calculator splits it instantly. If the classic split does not fit your life - say rent alone eats half your income - pick a preset like 70/20/10 or drag the sliders to build your own. Then, if you know what you actually spend, fill in the comparison section to see exactly where you are over or under.
Is 50/30/20 right for you?
It is a starting point, not a law. In expensive cities, needs often exceed 50% - shift the split rather than giving up. If you are aggressively paying off debt or saving for a house, flip wants and savings (50/20/30). The habit of splitting every paycheck matters more than the exact numbers.