Budget 50/30/20 Splitter
Split income into needs, wants, and savings.
The 50/30/20 rule, applied
This popular budget splits take-home pay into 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings or debt. On $4,000 a month that is $2,000, $1,200, and $800 — a quick sanity check on where money should go.
Treat the categories as targets rather than rules: high rent can push needs well past 50%, in which case trimming wants or extending savings goals keeps the plan realistic.
A guideline, not a rule
High-cost areas often need a different split, so adjust to your reality. The math runs locally in your browser with nothing uploaded. The income figure you enter never leaves your browser.
Frequently asked questions
How does the 50/30/20 split work?
Take-home pay is divided into needs, wants, and savings or debt payoff by the percentages you set. $5,200 a month at 50/30/20 gives $2,600 for needs, $1,560 for wants, and $1,040 for savings.
Can I change the percentages?
Yes. Set needs in the second box and wants and savings as a comma-separated pair in the third, such as 60 for needs and "25, 15". The Allocated total line shows if they add to more or less than your pay.
Should I use gross or take-home pay?
Take-home pay, after tax and payroll deductions. If you already contribute to a 401(k) through payroll, that counts toward the 20% even though it never reaches your bank account.
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