Texas Child Support Calculator
Estimate the guideline amount under Tex. Fam. Code §154.125. Based on the payor's net monthly resources — free, instant, no data stored.
Guideline Estimate
Source: Tex. Fam. Code §154.125; net resources cap per current Attorney General schedule.
How Texas calculates child support
Texas uses a percentage-of-net-resources model. The payor's monthly net resources are multiplied by a percentage that depends on the number of children covered:
| Children | Guideline percentage |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20% |
| 2 | 25% |
| 3 | 30% |
| 4 | 35% |
| 5 or more | 40% |
What are "net monthly resources"?
Net resources are gross income minus: Social Security taxes, federal income taxes (for a single person with one exemption), state income taxes, union dues, and health insurance premiums for the child. The statute caps the net resources amount used in the formula — obligations on income above the cap require a separate finding of need.
This calculator uses 75% of gross as an approximation. A Texas family law attorney or the OAG Child Support Division can work out the exact net resources from your actual tax and insurance figures.
Does Texas child support vary with parenting time?
The statutory percentage assumes a standard possession order (SPO). If the payor has the children more than 50% of the time ("expanded SPO" or "50/50"), a court may deviate from the guideline amount. The percentages above are the statutory guideline; a court can order more or less for good cause.
Frequently asked questions
Is this for one household or multiple? The percentages above are for one household of children. If the payor supports children in multiple households, the guideline uses a different table that reduces each household's percentage proportionally.
How long does child support last in Texas? Until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school (whichever is later), or until the child is otherwise emancipated.
Can I modify a Texas child support order? Yes — if it has been three years since the last order and the new guideline amount differs by 20% or $100/month, or if there is a material and substantial change in circumstances.
Does Travis County use a different formula? No. Travis County courts — along with every other Texas county — apply the same statewide §154.125 guideline formula. The calculator above gives the guideline amount regardless of whether your case is in Travis, Harris, Dallas, or any other county. County-level variation may appear in local rules around scheduling or mediation, not in the support amount itself.