Texas Child Support Calculator

How Texas Guideline Child Support Is Calculated

Texas uses a percentage of the paying parent’s income, not a formula that weighs both parents’ earnings. The court first figures the paying parent’s monthly net resources. It then applies a percentage based on how many children are before the court (Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125). The guidelines are presumed to be in the child’s best interest, so most orders start from this number (§ 154.122).

Net Resources

Net resources begin with nearly all income: wages, salary, overtime, commissions, tips and bonuses, plus self-employment income, interest, dividends, net rental income and many other sources (§ 154.062(b)). From that total the court deducts Social Security and Medicare taxes and federal income tax, figured for a single filer taking the standard deduction. It also deducts union dues and what the parent pays for the children’s health and dental insurance (§ 154.062(d)). Texas has no state income tax, so none is deducted. The Attorney General publishes tax charts each year to help with this step (§ 154.061). Our calculator uses the 2026 charts.

The Guideline Percentages

Once net resources are known, the percentage depends on the number of children in the case.

1 child: 20%

2 children: 25%

3 children: 30%

4 children: 35%

5 children: 40%

6 or more children: Not less than the amount for 5 children

When a parent’s monthly net resources are under $1,000, Texas applies a lower schedule, starting at 15% for one child (§ 154.125(c)).

The $11,700 Monthly Net Resources Cap

The percentages apply to monthly net resources up to a cap that the Attorney General adjusts for inflation every six years. Since September 1, 2025, the cap has been $11,700 a month (§ 154.125(a), (a-1)). If a parent earns more, the court applies the guideline percentage to the first $11,700. It may order additional support based on the parents’ income and the child’s proven needs (§ 154.126).

Children in More Than One Household

If the paying parent also has a legal duty to support children outside the case, Texas lowers the percentage to account for them. The Family Code includes a multiple-family table for this (§ 154.129). For example, a parent with two children in the case and one other child would pay 22.5% instead of 25%. The calculator applies this adjustment automatically.

Health and Dental Insurance

Texas orders address health care and dental coverage for the children in addition to monthly support (§§ 154.182, 154.1825). The cost of that coverage is deducted when figuring net resources. If other family members share the plan, only the children’s share counts: the premium is divided by the number of minor dependents covered (§ 154.062(e)).

When a Court May Order a Different Amount

Guideline support is the starting point, not a guarantee. A court may set a different amount when the guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate for the child. In deciding, the court looks at factors such as the child’s age and needs, each parent’s ability to contribute, child care and health care expenses, and how parenting time is divided (§ 154.123). Parents may also agree to an amount, and the court will review it (§ 154.124).

Changing a Child Support Order

Support can be modified when circumstances have changed materially and substantially. It can also be modified when three years have passed since the order and the current amount differs from guideline support by 20% or $100 (§ 156.401). A job change, a new child or a shift in custody can each be a reason to take a fresh look. Learn more on our modifications page.

How a Family Lawyer Helps

A calculator gives you a fair starting point, but real cases rarely fit a simple form. Self-employment income, bonuses, a parent who is earning less than they could, or children in more than one household can change the outcome. An experienced attorney gathers the right financial records and identifies income that belongs in the calculation. They can also argue for a different amount when the guidelines don’t fit your family. Our child support attorneys handle these questions every day. Support often goes hand in hand with child custody, so we look at the whole picture.

Quick Answers

How is child support calculated in Texas?

Texas applies a percentage to the paying parent’s monthly net resources: 20% for one child, rising by 5% per child to 40% for five children (Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125).

What are net resources for Texas child support?

Net resources are the paying parent’s income minus Social Security and Medicare, federal income tax, union dues, and the cost of the children’s health and dental insurance (§ 154.062).

Is there a cap on child support in Texas?

Yes. Since September 1, 2025, the guideline percentages apply to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources. A court may order more based on the child’s proven needs (§§ 154.125, 154.126).

What if the paying parent has children in another household?

Texas lowers the percentage to account for other children the parent must support, using the multiple-family table in § 154.129.

Is health insurance part of child support in Texas?

Health and dental coverage for the children are ordered along with monthly support, and their cost is deducted when figuring net resources (§§ 154.062, 154.182, 154.1825).

Can a judge order more or less than guideline support?

Yes. A court may set a different amount if the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate, after weighing factors such as the child’s needs and each parent’s resources (§ 154.123).

When can child support be modified in Texas?

An order can be modified after a material and substantial change in circumstances. It can also be modified after three years if the amount differs from the guidelines by 20% or $100 (§ 156.401).

Is this calculator’s result what I will pay?

No. It is an estimate based on the Texas guidelines and standard tax assumptions. Your actual order depends on your full financial picture and the court’s decision.

Child Support Help in Collin County and Beyond

Pfister Family Law helps parents in Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney and across Collin County understand and resolve child support. We also handle custody matters through our Frisco child custody and Plano child custody teams. If you would like a clear plan for your case, talk to our team.

This calculator and page provide general information, not legal advice. Courts can order amounts that differ from the guidelines.