// Free tool
50/30/20 budget calculator
Enter your monthly after-tax income and get a clear starting split: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, 20% for savings. No sign-up, nothing stored.
// The method
How the 50/30/20 rule works
The 50/30/20 rule divides your after-tax income into three buckets: half for what you need, a third for what you want, and a fifth for your future self — savings and paying down debt faster.
Its strength is that it's coarse. You don't track forty categories; you watch three numbers. If needs swallow far more than half, that's a housing or fixed-costs conversation — not a latte problem.
Making it fit your life
Adjust the ratios
In expensive cities 60/20/20 may be realistic; on a rising income, push savings past 20% instead.
Needs vs. wants, honestly
The plan only works if the line is honest. A phone contract is a need; the newest phone is a want.
Debt comes first
High-interest debt beats most investing. Point the 20% at it until it's gone, then redirect.
// FAQ
Common questions
Is the 50/30/20 rule good for beginners?
Yes — it's one of the simplest ways to start budgeting because it needs only three numbers. You can refine into detailed categories later, once the habit exists.
Should I use gross or net income?
Net — what actually reaches your account after tax and deductions. That's the money you can direct, so it's the honest base for the split.
What if my needs are more than 50%?
Common in high-rent cities. Shift to 60/20/20 rather than giving up, and treat the gap as a signal about fixed costs — the biggest wins are usually rent, transport, and contracts, not small daily buys.
Is anything I enter stored?
No. The split is calculated in your browser and disappears when you leave. Nothing is sent anywhere and nothing is tracked.