Texas child support calculator
You can see an estimate of Texas child support before you talk to a lawyer or go to court, because the state uses a set formula. Put in the paying parent's income and we'll work it out the way the Texas Attorney General does, with the 2026 tax charts.
$0.00 a month
Put in the paying parent's income to see an estimate.
Tell us about your situation and where you are. We'll follow up about the next step.
Texas law has us work out federal tax as if the parent files single with the standard deduction, however they actually file. If they have income from more than one source, own a business or don't pay Social Security tax, the real figure may differ. The Attorney General's tax charts aren't meant for owners of pass-through businesses.
How child support is calculated in Texas
Texas looks only at the paying parent's income. It starts with their gross income, takes off Social Security, Medicare and federal income tax, then the children's health and dental insurance, union dues and any state income tax. What's left is their monthly net resources, and a fixed share of it goes to support.
| Children | Share of net resources | Share if under $1,000 | Most guideline support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20% | 15% | $2,340 |
| 2 | 25% | 20% | $2,925 |
| 3 | 30% | 25% | $3,510 |
| 4 | 35% | 30% | $4,095 |
| 5 or more | 40% | 35% | $4,680 |
Since September 1, 2025, the percentages apply to the first $11,700 a month of net resources. For six or more children, the guideline is at least 40%, and a judge can order more. If the paying parent also supports children outside the case, including children who live with them, the percentage drops: with two children in the case and one elsewhere, it's 22.5% instead of 25%.
When a judge can order more or less support
A judge starts from the guideline amount and treats it as right for the child, but can order more or less if the evidence shows it wouldn't serve the child's best interest. Some of the reasons a judge weighs:
- Time with each parent. Texas has no shared-custody formula, so a 50/50 schedule counts only as a reason to adjust.
- Child care. What a parent pays so they can keep working.
- The child's needs. Age, health or special education costs.
- Travel. The cost of getting to spend time with the child.
- Debts. Debts either parent took on.
- Net resources above $11,700 a month. When the child's proven needs call for more.
Health and dental insurance for the children are ordered in addition to the monthly amount, and the court splits medical bills that insurance doesn't cover.
Questions parents ask about Texas child support
How much is child support in Texas?
For most parents it's 20% of the paying parent's monthly net resources for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four and 40% for five or more. When net resources are under $1,000 a month, each rate is five points lower. Health and dental insurance for the children are ordered on top.
What is the maximum child support in Texas?
The percentages apply to the first $11,700 a month of net resources, so the guideline amount tops out at $2,340 a month for one child and $2,925 for two. A judge can order more when a child's proven needs are higher.
Does the other parent's income affect child support in Texas?
Not in the formula. Texas bases guideline support on the paying parent's income only. A judge can weigh the other parent's resources when deciding whether to adjust the amount.
Does 50/50 custody change child support in Texas?
Not by itself. Texas has no formula for shared parenting time, so equal time doesn't change the calculation. A judge can raise or lower support based on the time each parent has with the child.
Can you modify child support in Texas?
Yes. Either parent can ask the court to change the order when circumstances have changed a lot. If the order follows the guidelines, they can also ask once three years have passed since it was made or last changed, if the guideline amount now differs from the current order by at least 20% or $100 a month. That second route isn't open if the parents agreed to an amount different from the guidelines. A change only applies from the date the other parent is served with the request or appears in the case.
Where the numbers come from
- Texas Family Code chapter 154, the child support guidelines
- The Attorney General's 2026 tax charts, which set how net resources are worked out
- The Attorney General's child support calculator, which gives the same result for the same entries
Checked September 29, 2026. The tax charts change every January.
Talk it through with a Texas family law attorney
A family law attorney can tell you what a judge is likely to order in your situation, and whether any of these adjustments apply to you.
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