Paycheck Frequency Comparison Calculator
Compare weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly paychecks from the same annual salary.
What this calculates
Same salary, different paychecks. Biweekly (26 pays/year) and semimonthly (24 pays/year) look similar but produce different per-check amounts and two 'extra' months for biweekly earners. This calculator breaks down per-period gross pay across the four common frequencies.
Formula & how it works
Weekly = annual ÷ 52. Biweekly = annual ÷ 26. Semimonthly = annual ÷ 24. Monthly = annual ÷ 12. Biweekly earners get 3 paychecks twice a year — useful for savings sprints.
Worked example
$78,000/year. Weekly: $1,500. Biweekly: $3,000. Semimonthly: $3,250. Monthly: $6,500.
Frequently asked questions
Biweekly vs semimonthly?
Biweekly = every 2 weeks (26/yr). Semimonthly = twice a month, usually 15th & last day (24/yr). Same annual, but biweekly per-check is smaller, with two 'bonus' 3-check months.
Which is best?
Neither — total pay is identical. Biweekly aligns with weekly billing cycles; semimonthly aligns cleanly with monthly bills.
Are taxes withheld differently?
Yes — IRS tables have per-frequency columns. Annual tax owed is the same, but per-check withholding differs.