Wisconsin Child Support Calculator
Estimate the guideline amount under Wisconsin's percentage standard (DCF 150). Based on the payor's gross income — free, instant, no data stored.
Guideline Estimate
Source: Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 (percentage standard). Parenting-time adjustment is an approximation.
How Wisconsin's percentage standard works
Wisconsin uses a percentage of gross income model (the "percentage standard" under DCF 150). The guideline amount is the paying parent's gross monthly income multiplied by:
| Children | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 1 | 17% |
| 2 | 25% |
| 3 | 29% |
| 4 | 31% |
| 5 | 34% |
| 6 or more | 34%+ |
Parenting-time adjustment
When the paying parent has the children overnight more than a third of the time (more than about 121 nights per year), courts may reduce the base amount. The slider above models a simplified adjustment — the actual calculation under DCF 150 uses a formula comparing the nights each parent has custody.
What counts as income?
Wisconsin uses gross income, which includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, and self-employment income (net profit plus certain add-backs like depreciation). Overtime, second jobs, and investment income are generally included. Imputed income may be used if a parent is voluntarily underemployed.
Frequently asked questions
Can a court deviate from the percentage standard? Yes. A court may deviate if the standard is unfair, considering factors like the child's extraordinary needs, shared-placement arrangements, and the parents' earning capacity.
How long does child support last in Wisconsin? Until the child turns 18, or 19 if still enrolled in high school.
Does Wisconsin use the income shares model? No. Wisconsin retained its percentage standard when most states moved to income shares. Both parents' incomes are not combined for the basic calculation; only the paying parent's income drives the guideline amount.