Pay Stub Generator
Use this free check stub maker with real payroll records. Enter hours, rates, and deductions, preview net pay and year-to-date totals, then download a PDF or PNG.
For payroll record-keeping only. Every export is watermarked "SAMPLE" and is not valid as proof of income or employment.
Employer, employee and pay-period fields
Gross pay, FICA and net pay
Export a clean pay stub document
Not a payroll filing service
Never print a full SSN on a stub.
Simplified estimate, not an official payroll calculation. Federal and state tax inputs are flat percentages; FICA wage caps are not applied. Calculation assumptions
- Pay date
- —
- Period
- — – —
- Frequency
- Semi-monthly
| Type | Hrs | Current | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 80 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Gross | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Description | Current | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| State income tax | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $0.00 | $0.00 |
YTD net $0.00
SAMPLE DOCUMENT — provided for informational and record-keeping purposes only, generated from data you entered. This is not an official payroll record. Do not submit this as proof of income or employment to a lender, landlord, government agency, or any verification process — doing so may constitute document fraud.
Calculation estimate only. Federal and state withholding use the percentages entered, not W-4 tax tables. Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) apply to all entered gross pay; wage caps, Additional Medicare Tax and pre-tax deductions are not modeled. YTD repeats this period's amounts for the number of periods entered, not actual payroll history.
Want to save, track & get paid?
Keep payroll records, invoices and expenses on one timeline — ready for your accountant.
Note: This tool is for reference and educational purposes. Use only accurate payroll data you can support with source records. Freelancers on 1099 don't receive traditional pay stubs; their "pay stub" is usually an invoice, 1099 summary, bank deposit record, or profit-and-loss statement.
Free pay stub generator for real payroll records
People search for a paystub generator, pay stubs generator free, payroll generator free, and contractor pay stub generator free for different reasons. The safe path is the same: start with real income records, choose the right document type, and avoid creating proof of income that misstates employment or pay.
Create a pay stub PDF from real employer, employee, pay-period, gross pay, deduction, and net pay details.
Use the calculator-style fields to format a clean paystub for records, payroll review, or employee documentation.
Build the document in your browser, review the totals, and download a PDF without creating an account.
Create a PDF pay stub after entering real pay-period earnings, deductions, tax withholding, and net pay details.
Use paycheck-style wording for employee records, but remember this creates the pay stub document, not the actual payment.
Preview gross pay, total deductions, and net pay before exporting the pay stub PDF for payroll records.
For 1099 contractor income, an invoice is normally the source record. Only create a pay stub when the worker is actually paid through payroll.
This tool creates a document. It does not run payroll, remit taxes, file returns, or replace official employer payroll records.
Do not fabricate pay stubs for housing, loans, benefits, or tax filings. Use accurate records you can support.
Choose the right pay stub workflow
A pay stub generator, paycheck stub maker, and payroll stub template all point to the same practical job: document real employee payroll clearly enough for records, review, or PDF sharing.
Enter employer, employee, pay period, gross earnings, deductions, and net pay, then export a PDF.
Use accurate payroll values to create the stub that explains a paycheck or direct deposit.
Use the calculator-style fields instead of editing a blank template so totals stay consistent.
Deductions
You're using Eonebill's free pay stub tool — no signup needed.
With Eonebill, create invoices, contracts, receipts & more — from $0/mo
1099 vs. W-2: What Freelancers Need to Know
If you're a freelancer or independent contractor, you're almost certainly a 1099 worker—not a W-2 employee. This distinction matters enormously for your taxes and record-keeping.
W-2 employees have taxes withheld from every paycheck by their employer. The employer pays half of Social Security and Medicare taxes; the employee pays the other half. W-2 workers receive traditional pay stubs showing gross pay, deductions, and net pay—exactly what this generator creates.
1099 contractors are self-employed. No taxes are withheld. You receive the full amount you negotiated, and it's YOUR responsibility to set aside money for taxes. The "pay stub" for a 1099 worker is actually their invoice—when you bill a client, that invoice IS your pay stub for record-keeping purposes.
The practical upshot: if you're a freelancer, you don't need pay stubs from clients—you need to track your invoices meticulously. Every payment you receive should be logged as income, and you should set aside roughly 25-30% of every payment for federal, state, and self-employment taxes.
This pay stub generator is still useful for freelancers in two scenarios: (1) if you hire subcontractors and need to provide them with documentation, and (2) for understanding the structure of traditional payroll—knowledge that helps you compare your freelance income to what equivalent employment would pay.
Common Pay Stub Scenarios
See how pay stubs look across different employment types
| Pay Type | Salary |
| Hourly Rate / Salary | $5,000/month |
| Hours Worked | N/A |
| Gross Pay | $5,000.00 |
| Federal Tax | -$750.00 |
| State Tax | -$350.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$310.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$72.50 |
| Total Deductions | -$1,482.50 |
| Net Pay | $3,517.50 |
| Pay Type | Hourly |
| Hourly Rate / Salary | $25.00/hr |
| Hours Worked | 80 (bi-weekly) |
| Gross Pay | $2,000.00 |
| Federal Tax | -$240.00 |
| State Tax | -$140.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$124.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$29.00 |
| Total Deductions | -$533.00 |
| Net Pay | $1,467.00 |
| Pay Type | Hourly |
| Hourly Rate / Salary | $22.00/hr |
| Hours Worked | 44 (40 regular + 4 OT) |
| Gross Pay | $1,012.00 |
| Federal Tax | -$121.44 |
| State Tax | -$70.84 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$62.74 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$14.67 |
| Total Deductions | -$269.69 |
| Net Pay | $742.31 |
Pay Stub vs. Invoice — What's the Difference?
Many freelancers confuse pay stubs with invoices. Here's a clear breakdown:
| Aspect | Pay Stub | Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Created By | Employer (for employees) | Self-employed / contractor (for clients) |
| Purpose | Documents wages paid and taxes withheld | Requests payment for goods or services |
| Taxes Withheld | Yes — federal, state, Social Security, Medicare | No — freelancer is responsible for self-employment tax |
| Who Keeps It | Employee (for personal records) | Freelancer (as income documentation) |
| For Taxes | Employer reports via W-2; employee uses to file | Freelancer reports via Schedule C; client reports via 1099 |
| Legal Requirement | Required for W-2 employees in most states | Required when billing clients (creates paper trail) |
IRS Reference: The IRS requires employers to provide Form W-2 to employees by January 31 of the following year. For self-employed individuals, Schedule C (Form 1040) is used to report self-employment income. Keep all invoices and payment records for at least 7 years.
Related Resources
- Free Freelance Invoice Templates — Your invoice is your pay stub as a freelancer — use these free templates to bill professionally
- Net-30 Payment Terms Explained — Understanding standard payment terms helps you structure your invoices (and cash flow) correctly
- How to Create an Invoice — Full Guide — Step-by-step instructions for creating invoices that get paid faster
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Notice — Not Tax Advice
This pay stub generation tool is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or professional advice. Results are estimates based on the inputs you provide and current published rates, which may change without notice.
Tax laws vary by federal, state, and local jurisdiction and may not reflect your individual situation. Eonebill makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of any output and is not responsible for any decisions made based on this tool.
Before filing any tax form, claiming a deduction, or making a financial decision, consult a qualified tax professional, CPA, or licensed attorney. For official guidance, visit IRS.gov or your state's department of revenue.
What Is a Pay Stub?
A pay stub is a written record of the wages an employer paid an employee for a specific pay period, detailing the gross earnings, all tax withholdings, voluntary deductions, and the resulting net pay. Most pay stubs are issued electronically alongside the actual paycheck or direct deposit, either through an employer payroll system or via a payroll provider portal. A complete pay stub serves three audiences: the employee (proof of income for loans, apartments, immigration); the employer (audit trail and state-compliance record); and tax authorities (W-2 reconciliation and wage verification).
In the United States, pay statement requirements depend on the applicable state law. The Department of Labor explains that the FLSA requires wage and hour records but does not itself require employers to provide pay stubs. Check your state labor agency for delivery and itemization requirements.
How to Create or Use a Pay Stub
Official payroll records require verified withholding and actual year-to-date figures. The steps below describe that payroll process; this page's simplified calculator does not implement every rule.
- Gather pay period data. Confirm the pay period dates, total hours worked (including overtime, holiday, and PTO breakdowns), and the agreed rate of pay. For salaried employees, the period rate is annual salary divided by pay periods per year.
- Calculate gross earnings. Hours times rate, plus any bonuses, commissions, or supplemental wages for the period. List each component as a separate line on the stub.
- Subtract federal tax withholding. Use the most recent IRS Publication 15-T withholding tables, or run the employee W-4 elections through your payroll software.
- Verify FICA withholding. The SSA's 2026 figures set the employee Social Security rate at 6.2% on taxable wages up to $184,500; regular Medicare is 1.45% without a wage cap. Employers also withhold 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages they pay above $200,000 in a calendar year, regardless of filing status. Personal tax liability can differ; see the IRS employer withholding guidance. This calculator does not apply the wage cap or Additional Medicare Tax.
- Verify state and local withholding. Use the applicable state and local payroll rules and employee elections. The flat state percentage in this calculator does not determine jurisdiction-specific withholding or other required payroll deductions.
- Subtract voluntary deductions. Pre-tax: 401(k), health insurance premiums (Section 125 plans), HSA, FSA, commuter benefits. Post-tax: Roth 401(k), garnishments, union dues, charitable deductions.
- Calculate and display net pay. Gross minus all withholdings equals net pay (take-home). Display year-to-date totals for every category so the employee can reconcile against the eventual W-2.
For employees needing a pay stub for personal use — apartment applications, loan verification — most US employers can reissue a pay stub from a recent period through their payroll portal. For independent contractors who have no W-2 wages, a pay stub is not the right document — use a 1099 income summary, bank statements, or a profit-and-loss statement from your accounting software.