How this calculator works
Straight subtraction: take-home pay minus each category. The percentages show where the money actually goes, which is usually the surprise.
- Left over = take-home pay − (housing + utilities + food + transport + debt + subscriptions + other).
- Category share = category ÷ take-home pay × 100.
Worked example
With these inputs: monthly take-home pay $4,500; housing $1,500; utilities & phone $280; groceries & eating out $600; transport & fuel $350; debt payments $300; subscriptions & insurance $220; everything else $400.
The result is left over each month $850.00, with total expenses $3,650.00 and spent 81.1%.
Getting the numbers right
Use real numbers from the last one or two months of bank and card statements, not estimates. Food and "everything else" are usually underestimated.
For bills that aren't monthly, convert them first: a yearly bill ÷ 12, a weekly cost × 52 ÷ 12. The Cost Per Day, Week, Month & Year Calculator does that conversion, and the water bill calculator estimates a water bill that arrives every two or three months. If you're paid by the hour, the hourly to monthly pay calculator gives the monthly income figure to budget from.
Turning a budget into a habit
A budget works when the fixed bills pay themselves on time and the leftover is visible. Put every recurring bill in a bill tracker with its due date, and the "left over" number becomes something you can check any day, not just when you sit down with a spreadsheet. For spending categories that keep running over, the cash envelope budget calculator turns them into cash envelopes for each payday.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a monthly budget?
List your take-home pay, list every bill and spending category with its real monthly amount, subtract, and decide where the leftover goes. Revisit it monthly.
What percentage of income should go to housing?
About 30% of gross income is the most common guideline. The How Much Rent Can I Afford calculator shows the 25%, 30% and debt-aware figures.
My expenses are more than my income. Where do I start?
Start with the biggest category in the table. A lower rent, insurance or car payment changes the result far more than small cuts. Then check whether any debt payments can be restructured.
Should I use a budget app or a spreadsheet?
Whichever you'll keep using. A spreadsheet is flexible. A bill tracker with reminders handles due dates for you. The free Bill Tracker Template on this site is a spreadsheet, and Bill Organizer is the app version.