$tackedHow to budget with a bi-weekly paycheck
Bi-weekly pay means 26 paychecks a year, not 24. To find your average monthly income, multiply one paycheck by 26 and divide by 12. A $1,500 paycheck works out to $3,250 a month.
Why it doesn't match two checks a month
Most months have two paydays, but a year has 52 weeks. That leaves two extra paychecks each year. If you budget as if every month has two checks, you plan on $3,000 from the example above. The true average is $3,250.
| Paycheck | Times 26, per year | Divided by 12, per month |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $26,000 | $2,166.67 |
| $1,500 | $39,000 | $3,250 |
| $2,000 | $52,000 | $4,333.33 |
Two ways to set up your budget
Use the monthly average
This gives you one simple number for the whole year. The catch is that most months pay less than the average, so keep enough cash on hand to cover the gap until a three-paycheck month arrives.
Budget on two checks
Plan every month on two paychecks, then decide ahead of time where the two extra checks go. A savings goal or a yearly bill are common choices.
Don't confuse bi-weekly with semi-monthly
Bi-weekly means every two weeks, or 26 paychecks. Semi-monthly means twice a month, often on the 1st and 15th, or 24 paychecks. Check your pay stub dates to see which one you have.
Let the app do the math
Add your income and expenses once, and $tacked turns them into a clear monthly picture. Free on iPhone and Android.
Get $tackedQuestions
How many paychecks is bi-weekly in a year?
26. Being paid every two weeks gives you 26 paychecks over a 52-week year.
How do I turn a bi-weekly paycheck into a monthly amount?
Multiply the paycheck by 26, then divide by 12.
Which months have three paychecks?
It depends on your pay dates. Check a calendar from your next payday, counting forward every 14 days.
Related guides
- Fixed vs. variable expenses: what is the difference?
- How to turn weekly, yearly and quarterly bills into a monthly number
- Replacing your budget spreadsheet: what to actually track
- How to see where your money goes each month
This guide is general information, not financial advice. The numbers are examples.