50/30/20 Budget Calculator

The simplest budgeting rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings.

How to use this calculator

Enter your after-tax monthly income, then press Calculate. It splits your budget into needs (50%), wants (30%) and savings (20%) with a chart.

What the result means

The rule gives every dollar a job. If your needs exceed 50%, the difference should come from wants before savings — the order matters.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a need?

Housing, food, utilities, transport and minimum debt payments. Everything else is a want.

What if my needs are over 50%?

That's common in high-cost areas. Trim wants first, and treat savings as a non-negotiable 20% if you can.