Career calculator
Paycheck Frequency Calculator
See how the same annual salary is divided across common payroll schedules.
Biweekly gross paycheck
$3,000
How the paycheck frequency calculator works
Weekly payroll uses 52 checks, biweekly uses 26, semimonthly uses 24, and monthly uses 12. The tool displays every schedule together to make frequency differences visible.
Biweekly and semimonthly are not synonyms: biweekly usually produces two three-paycheck months, while semimonthly pays exactly twice each month.
Worked example
A $78,000 salary yields $1,500 weekly, $3,000 biweekly, $3,250 semimonthly, and $6,500 monthly. Every row still totals $78,000 over its stated number of checks.
Assumptions and practical limits
The calculation assumes salary is evenly distributed and does not model partial periods, leap-year payroll quirks, or unpaid leave.
All outputs are gross. Taxes, insurance, retirement contributions, garnishments, and other deductions determine take-home pay.
Frequently asked questions
How many biweekly checks are there?
Normally 26 per year, compared with 24 semimonthly checks.
Why is semimonthly pay larger?
The annual salary is divided among two fewer checks than biweekly payroll.
Does this calculate net pay?
No. It calculates gross salary per check before deductions.