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Texas Child Support Calculator (2026)

In Texas, child support is mainly a percentage of the paying parent's income, based on how many children are involved. Use the free calculator below for an instant estimate.

How it's calculated
Percentage of paying parent's income
Income used
Take-home pay (after taxes)
Last updated
2025
Verified
2026-05-31

Source: Texas Family Code Chapter 154

Calculate Your Texas Child Support

Free estimate — official Texas guidelines

Your income after taxes and required deductions

How Much Is Child Support in Texas?

If you make $60,000 a year in Texas, child support for 1 child is estimated at $1,000 per month ($12,000 per year). Based on the guideline percentage applied to your income.

$1,000/week ($52,000/year): approximately $867/month for 1 child.

Texas Child Support Estimates by Income (2026)

Annual Income 1 Child 2 Children 3 Children
$40,000/yr $667/mo $833/mo $1,000/mo
$50,000/yr $833/mo $1,042/mo $1,250/mo
$60,000/yr $1,000/mo $1,250/mo $1,500/mo
$70,000/yr $1,167/mo $1,458/mo $1,750/mo
$80,000/yr $1,333/mo $1,667/mo $2,000/mo
$100,000/yr $1,667/mo $2,083/mo $2,500/mo
$120,000/yr $2,000/mo $2,500/mo $3,000/mo

Based on guideline percentages applied to gross income. Compare all states →

How Child Support Is Calculated in Texas

Factors That Affect Child Support in Texas

Non-custodial parent's net monthly resources
Number of children before the court
Number of children from other relationships
Health insurance and dental insurance costs
Child care expenses
Travel costs for visitation
Age and needs of the child
Possession and access schedule
Child's educational expenses
Technical details and legal basis

Texas uses the Percentage of Income model (Texas Family Code Chapter 154) to calculate child support. This means child support is based on a set percentage of the non-custodial parent's net income, with the percentage increasing for more children.

Important Notes for Texas

  • Texas uses the Percentage of Income model, basing child support on the non-custodial parent's net resources.
  • Net resources include wages, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other income sources minus federal taxes, state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and union dues.
  • The court may deviate from guidelines if the child has special needs or if the obligor has other children to support.
  • Texas law caps the net resources subject to the guideline percentage at $11,700/month (effective September 1, 2025 under SB 1936). Income above the cap may still be considered by the court.

Example Calculation

Scenario: Non-custodial parent earns $5,000/month net income, 2 children.

Step 1: Determine net monthly income: $5,000

Step 2: Apply the guideline percentage for 2 children: 25%

Step 3: Calculate: $5,000 × 25% = $1,250/month

Key Facts: Child Support in Texas

  • Texas uses the Percentage of Income model to calculate child support, basing the obligation on the non-custodial parent's net resources.
  • The guideline percentages are: 20% for 1 child, 25% for 2 children, 30% for 3 children, 35% for 4 children, and 40% for 5 or more children.
  • Texas caps net resources at $11,700 per month for guideline calculations (effective September 1, 2025 under SB 1936). Courts may order above-guideline support for higher earners.
  • Net resources include wages, salary, tips, and other income minus federal/state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare deductions.
  • Courts may deviate from guidelines based on factors like the child's special needs, shared custody arrangements, or the obligor's other support obligations.

Texas Child Support FAQ

How is child support calculated in Texas?
Texas uses the Percentage of Income model. Child support is calculated as a percentage of the non-custodial parent's monthly net resources: 20% for 1 child, 25% for 2 children, 30% for 3 children, 35% for 4 children, and 40% for 5 or more children. Net resources include income minus federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.
What percentage of income is child support in Texas?
In Texas, child support is 20% of net resources for 1 child, 25% for 2 children, 30% for 3 children, 35% for 4 children, and 40% for 5 or more children. These percentages apply to the non-custodial parent's net monthly resources, not gross income.
What is the maximum child support in Texas?
Texas caps the net resources used for calculating child support at $11,700 per month (as of September 2025, under SB 1936). This means the maximum monthly child support for 1 child is $2,340 (20% of $11,700), $2,925 for 2 children, and $3,510 for 3 children. Courts may order additional support above the cap if the child's needs warrant it.
Does child support change with 50/50 custody in Texas?
Texas courts may adjust child support when parents share custody equally (50/50). The court considers each parent's income and expenses, but there is no automatic formula reduction for shared custody. The judge has discretion to deviate from guidelines based on the specific arrangement.
How long does child support last in Texas?
In Texas, child support typically continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school (whichever occurs later), marries, has the disabilities of minority removed by court order, or dies. Support may continue indefinitely for a child with a disability.

About This Calculator

Uses the official Texas Family Code Chapter 154 (2025 guidelines). Last verified: 2026-05-31.

Disclaimer: Estimates only, not legal advice. Actual amounts are set by Texas courts. Full disclaimer.

Methodology: Percentage of Income model per Texas Family Code Chapter 154.

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