Calculation is client-side, income figures are never transmitted or stored.
How Texas Child Support Is Calculated
- Determine gross monthly income (wages, self-employment, and other resources).
- Subtract Social Security taxes, federal income tax (computed as a single filer claiming one exemption), union dues, and health/dental insurance ordered for the child to get net monthly resources.
- If net resources are below $1,000/month, apply the low-income schedule (15%/20%/25%/30%/35% for 1-5 children). Otherwise apply the standard schedule (20%/25%/30%/35%/40% for 1-5 children, not less than the 5-child amount for 6 or more).
- Net resources above $11,700/month are capped at that amount for the guideline calculation — courts have discretion to order more above the cap based on the child's proven needs, but it is not automatic.
Texas Child Support Worksheet Walkthrough
Example: a parent with $4,000/month in net resources and 2 children.
- Net resources: $4,000/month (below the $11,700 cap, so no cap adjustment applies).
- 2 children → standard schedule percentage: 25%.
- $4,000 × 0.25 = $1,000/month guideline child support.
How This Calculator Works — Formula & Constants
Source: Texas Office of the Attorney General — Child Support Division · Calcul déterministe — no AI, no arbitrary estimate.
Constants used
| Constant | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 20% | Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129 |
| 2 children | 25% | Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129 |
| 3 children | 30% | Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129 |
| 4 children | 35% | Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129 |
| 5 children | 40% | Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129 |
| 6+ children | 40% | Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129 |
| Low-income threshold | $1,000/mo | Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129 |
| Net income cap | $11,700/mo | Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129 |
Formula
pct = (obligor_net_income < 1000) ? low_income_percentages[children] : percentages[children]
monthly_support = net_resources × pct
Deterministic calculation based on Texas's official guideline schedule. Verify against Texas's official calculator for a court-ready figure.
FAQ
How is child support calculated in Texas?
Determine gross monthly income (wages, self-employment, and other resources). Subtract Social Security taxes, federal income tax (computed as a single filer claiming one exemption), union dues, and health/dental insurance ordered for the child to get net monthly resources. If net resources are below $1,000/month, apply the low-income schedule (15%/20%/25%/30%/35% for 1-5 children). Otherwise apply the standard schedule (20%/25%/30%/35%/40% for 1-5 children, not less than the 5-child amount for 6 or more). Net resources above $11,700/month are capped at that amount for the guideline calculation — courts have discretion to order more above the cap based on the child's proven needs, but it is not automatic.
Does Texas child support change with 50/50 custody?
See the guidelines section above.
Is Texas child support based on gross or net income?
See the guidelines section above.
What happens if my income is above the $11,700 cap?
See the guidelines section above.
Methodology & Source
Formula model: percentage of income. Effective 2025-09-01, guideline version 2025-TX-v1, last reviewed 2026-07-10.
Official source: Texas Office of the Attorney General — Child Support Division (Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.062, 154.068, 154.125, 154.129).
Courts may deviate from the guideline amount for documented reasons (extraordinary medical expenses, travel costs for visitation, additional children in other households, etc.) — this calculator shows the presumptive guideline amount only, not a court order.
Guideline figures transcribed from the primary source above and cross-checked against Texas's official calculator/worksheet for multiple test scenarios — see our verification methodology.