Budget Percentage Calculator
Turn monthly income and expenses into the percentage spent, the percentage left over and the amount remaining, with a worked $5,000 example.
Results · USD
Remaining
- Spent
- 70%
- Saved / leftover
- 30%
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Educational estimates · not financial advice · free, no signup
How this was calculated
Spent % = expenses ÷ income × 100. Remaining = income − expenses. Saved % = remaining ÷ income × 100.
Want more detail? Full formula notes & FAQs ↓
Detailed guide
What it is, how to use it, how to read the numbers, common mistakes, a worked example, formulas, and FAQs.
What this calculator is
Looking at spending as a share of income is more useful than looking at dollar amounts alone, because it tells you how much room you have regardless of how much you earn. This calculator takes monthly income and total expenses and returns the percentage spent, the percentage left and the money that remains. You can compare the result with rules of thumb such as the 50/30/20 guideline, which suggests about half of take-home pay for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment. These are guidelines, not rules; high housing costs or irregular income may call for a different split. The tool does not categorise spending.
When to use / who it helps
- You want to know what share of income you spend each month.
- You are setting a savings rate target.
- You are comparing months.
- You are reviewing a budget after a change in income.
- You want a quick sanity check before a major purchase.
How to use
Steps
- Enter your monthly take-home income.
- Enter your total monthly expenses.
- Read the percentage spent.
- Read the percentage left over and the amount.
- Adjust the expenses and see how the savings rate changes.
- Break expenses into categories separately if you want to find savings.
How to interpret results
- Spent plus saved equals 100% of income.
- A negative remainder means you are spending more than you earn.
- The savings rate depends on what you count as income.
- Irregular expenses, such as annual bills, should be averaged into a monthly figure.
- The percentage is only as accurate as the expense total.
Common mistakes & gotchas
- Using gross income when expenses are paid from take-home pay.
- Leaving out irregular or annual costs.
- Counting savings contributions as expenses.
- Comparing months with different income.
- Ignoring debt repayments.
Worked example
Worked example — $5,000 income and $3,500 expenses
- Remaining: 5,000 − 3,500 = $1,500.
- Spent: 3,500 ÷ 5,000 = 70%.
- Saved or left over: 1,500 ÷ 5,000 = 30%.
- If expenses rose to $3,750, the remainder would be $1,250, which is 25%.
Result: 70% of income is spent and $1,500, or 30%, is left over.
To load the form's own demo values, tap Try example above the Calculate button.
How to calculate / formula
Spent % = expenses ÷ income × 100. Remaining = income − expenses. Saved % = remaining ÷ income × 100.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of income should I save?
Many guidelines suggest 15% to 20%, but it depends on your situation.
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
A guideline that allocates 50% to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings and debt.
Should I use gross or net income?
Use the income that actually reaches your account.
Do savings count as expenses?
Treat savings as the remainder, not as spending.
How do I include annual bills?
Divide them by 12 and include that amount monthly.
Does this tool categorise spending?
No. It uses a single expense total.