North Dakota child support calculator (2026 guidelines)
North Dakota guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Change state
For 2 children, with Parent A earning $60,000 and Parent B $40,000, North Dakota's guideline amount is $1,159 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
North Dakota uses the percentage of income model; its current guidelines took effect January 1, 2026.
This is the guideline amount, not a court order.
Calculate your North Dakota guideline amount
Guideline child support
Choose your state and enter both incomes to see the guideline amount.
North Dakota child support at a glance
| Children | $30,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $463 | $669 | $907 | $1,145 |
| 2 children | $619 | $989 | $1,415 | $1,842 |
| 3 children | $733 | $1,178 | $1,691 | $2,204 |
| 4 children | $819 | $1,312 | $1,880 | $2,448 |
| 5 children | $896 | $1,417 | $2,018 | $2,619 |
How North Dakota calculates child support
North Dakota applies a schedule to the paying parent's monthly net income and the number of children; the other parent's income isn't used. Net income is rounded to the nearest $100 before the schedule is applied.
Net income is gross income less a hypothetical federal income tax for a single filer with the standard deduction, a hypothetical state income tax of 11% of that federal tax, Social Security and Medicare, and what the parent pays for the children's health insurance and ongoing medical expenses. These taxes are set by the guidelines, not taken from a tax return.
When a court order gives the paying parent more than 100 overnights a year, each child's share is reduced in proportion to those overnights. With equal residential responsibility, an obligation is worked out for each parent and the smaller is subtracted from the larger.
North Dakota has no minimum order or self-support reserve. The schedule is zero when the paying parent's monthly net income rounds to $800 or less.
Child care and extraordinary costs aren't added by formula. The children's health insurance premium and ongoing medical expenses a parent pays are subtracted from that parent's net income.
When the paying parent also supports other children living in their home, the amount is half of the schedule amount plus the schedule amount on net income reduced by the cost of those other children.
The schedule's last row applies to monthly net income of $25,000 or more. Above that, a court may order more based on the children's needs.
Each amount is rounded to the nearest dollar, and monthly net income is rounded to the nearest $100 for the schedule.
Parenting time in North Dakota
When a court order gives the paying parent more than 100 overnights a year, each child's share is reduced in proportion to those overnights. With equal residential responsibility, an obligation is worked out for each parent and the smaller is subtracted from the larger.
| Overnights with Parent A | Guideline amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $1,159 a month | Parent A pays Parent B |
| 52 | $1,159 a month | Parent A pays Parent B |
| 104 | $1,054 a month | Parent A pays Parent B |
| 128 | $1,030 a month | Parent A pays Parent B |
| 182 (about equal) | $370 a month | Parent A pays Parent B |
Low and high incomes in North Dakota
For 2 children with Parent B earning $40,000, the guideline amount is about $416 a month when Parent A earns $20,000 a year and about $3,290 a month when Parent A earns $250,000.
North Dakota has no minimum order or self-support reserve. The schedule is zero when the paying parent's monthly net income rounds to $800 or less.
The schedule's last row applies to monthly net income of $25,000 or more. Above that, a court may order more based on the children's needs.
Child support by number of children in North Dakota
- 1 child$764 a month
- 2 children$1,159 a month
- 3 children$1,383 a month
- 4 children$1,539 a month
- 5 children$1,658 a month
Parent A earns $60,000, Parent B $40,000; the children live mostly with Parent B.
Official sources and verification
- Law: N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1 (N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7)
- North Dakota child support guidelines
- Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1) with Schedules 1, 2, C and D
- Official North Dakota child support calculator
- North Dakota Health and Human Services, Child Support
- Changing a North Dakota child support order
Guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Verified against the official North Dakota sources on October 7, 2026. How we calculate →
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in North Dakota?
North Dakota applies a schedule to the paying parent's monthly net income and the number of children; the other parent's income isn't used. Net income is rounded to the nearest $100 before the schedule is applied. Net income is gross income less a hypothetical federal income tax for a single filer with the standard deduction, a hypothetical state income tax of 11% of that federal tax, Social Security and Medicare, and what the parent pays for the children's health insurance and ongoing medical expenses. These taxes are set by the guidelines, not taken from a tax return.
What is the child support for one child in North Dakota on $50,000?
If Parent A earns $50,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the child lives mostly with Parent B, North Dakota's guideline amount for one child is about $669 a month (Parent A pays Parent B). Courts can deviate from the guideline amount.
Does 50/50 custody mean no child support in North Dakota?
Not necessarily. With about equal parenting time, 2 children, Parent A earning $60,000 and Parent B $40,000, the guideline amount is about $370 a month (Parent A pays Parent B). When a court order gives the paying parent more than 100 overnights a year, each child's share is reduced in proportion to those overnights. With equal residential responsibility, an obligation is worked out for each parent and the smaller is subtracted from the larger.
What is the minimum child support in North Dakota?
North Dakota has no minimum order or self-support reserve. The schedule is zero when the paying parent's monthly net income rounds to $800 or less.
When does child support end in North Dakota?
Support ordered until majority ends when the child turns 18. It continues to the end of the month the child graduates from high school or turns 19, whichever is first, while an 18-year-old is enrolled in and attending high school and lives with the parent who receives support. Support may also continue after 18 if the parents agree or the court finds it appropriate. An obligation runs to the end of the month in which it ends.