This Texas child support calculator estimates the guideline amount of support under current Texas law. Texas sets child support with a formula tied to the paying parent's income, and the calculator applies the statutory percentages, the net-resources cap, and the multiple-household adjustment for you. Enter the numbers below for an instant estimate.
Texas child support calculator
Based on the obligor's (paying parent's) income and the guideline schedule in Texas Family Code Sec. 154.125.
This is a presumptive guideline estimate, not a court order. A Texas court can order a different amount under Sec. 154.123. The figure above does not include medical or dental support, which is ordered in addition to this amount (Sec. 154.064).
How is child support calculated in Texas?
Texas uses a guideline formula in Chapter 154 of the Family Code. The court takes the paying parent's net resources (income after specific deductions), caps the amount it counts, and applies a flat percentage based on how many children are in the case. The result is presumed correct, though a court can vary it for cause. Child support is one piece of a larger process; for residency rules, filing steps, custody, and timelines, see our full guide on how divorce works in Texas.
There are four steps, and the calculator follows each one:
- Compute net resources (Sec. 154.062). Start with gross income from nearly all sources (wages, self-employment, bonuses, commissions, rental, retirement, and more), then subtract Social Security and Medicare taxes, federal income tax for a single filer, union dues, and the cost of the child's health or dental coverage. Texas has no state income tax, so that deduction is zero.
- Apply the cap (Sec. 154.125(a), Sec. 154.126). The guideline percentages apply only to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources, effective September 1, 2025. Income above the cap is not part of the guideline figure, though a court may order more if the child's proven needs require it.
- Apply the percentage (Sec. 154.125(b)). 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five, of the capped net resources.
- Adjust for other children (Sec. 154.129). If the paying parent supports children outside this case, the percentage drops according to a statutory table.
What are the Texas child support percentages?
For a parent with no other support obligations, the guideline applies these percentages to net resources up to the $11,700 cap.
| Children in this case | Percentage of net resources | Maximum at the $11,700 cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20% | $2,340 / month |
| 2 | 25% | $2,925 / month |
| 3 | 30% | $3,510 / month |
| 4 | 35% | $4,095 / month |
| 5 | 40% | $4,680 / month |
| 6+ | Not less than 5 children | $4,680 / month or more |
What the calculator does not include
Medical and dental support. Under Sec. 154.064, the guideline number is the base cash support only. A Texas court separately orders the paying parent to provide the child's health and dental coverage (or pay cash medical support) on top of this amount, so the true total obligation is usually higher than the figure shown.
Above-cap support. If net resources exceed $11,700, the calculator stops at the cap, which is what the guideline does. A court can order more, but only on proof of the child's specific needs (Sec. 154.126), not by simply extending the percentage.
Deviations. The guideline amount is a rebuttable presumption (Sec. 154.122). A court can order a different amount based on factors like the child's needs, each parent's resources, and the amount of time each parent has the child (Sec. 154.123).
Texas child support FAQ
What is the maximum child support in Texas?
The guideline percentages apply only to the first $11,700 of the paying parent's monthly net resources as of September 1, 2025. For one child that caps guideline support at $2,340 per month, for two at $2,925, and for three at $3,510. A court can order more if the child's proven needs exceed the guideline, but the standard percentage stops at the cap.
Is Texas child support based on gross or net income?
Net resources, not gross. Texas starts with gross income from nearly all sources, then subtracts Social Security and Medicare taxes, federal income tax for a single filer, union dues, and the child's health and dental insurance to reach net resources. The guideline percentage applies to that net figure.
How does having other children lower the amount?
If the paying parent has a legal duty to support children outside this case, Texas reduces the percentage using the table in Sec. 154.129. For example, a parent of two children in the case who also supports two other children pays about 20.63% rather than the full 25%.
Does the calculator give the exact amount a court will order?
No. It estimates the presumptive guideline figure, which a court can adjust. It also estimates the deduction from gross income to net resources using current federal tax assumptions, so for the official net-resources figure you should use the Texas Attorney General's calculator or enter your net resources directly. And remember the guideline number does not include medical or dental support.
Authoritative sources
- Texas Office of the Attorney General official monthly child support calculator: csapps.oag.texas.gov
- Texas Family Code, Chapter 154 (child support), official statutes: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
- TexasLawHelp.org (Texas Legal Services Center): texaslawhelp.org