Texas child support calculator (2026 guidelines)
Texas guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Change state
For 2 children, with Parent A earning $60,000 and Parent B $40,000, Texas's guideline amount is $1,050 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Texas 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 Texas guideline amount
Guideline child support
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Texas child support at a glance
| Children | $30,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $438 | $706 | $1,027 | $1,320 |
| 2 children | $548 | $882 | $1,283 | $1,650 |
| 3 children | $657 | $1,059 | $1,540 | $1,980 |
| 4 children | $767 | $1,235 | $1,796 | $2,309 |
| 5 children | $876 | $1,412 | $2,053 | $2,639 |
How Texas calculates child support
Texas sets child support as a percentage of the paying parent's monthly net resources: 20% for one child, rising to 40% for five or more children. The other parent's income doesn't change the guideline amount.
Net resources are gross income minus Social Security and Medicare taxes, federal income tax for a single filer with the standard deduction, state income tax, union dues and the cost of the children's health and dental insurance. The Office of the Attorney General publishes tax charts each year for this step.
The Texas guidelines don't adjust support for parenting time. Courts may deviate based on the time each parent has with the children.
When the paying parent's net resources are under $1,000 a month, lower percentages apply: 15% for one child up to 35% for five or more. Texas has no self-support reserve and no minimum order.
Childcare isn't added to the guideline amount. If the paying parent provides the children's health insurance, its cost is deducted from net resources; if the other parent provides it, the paying parent pays its actual cost, up to 9% of gross income, as additional support.
If the paying parent must also support other children, the percentage is reduced with the multiple-family formula in the Texas Family Code, whether or not those children have a support order.
The percentages apply to net resources up to $11,700 a month. Above that, a court may order more based on the children's proven needs.
Each monthly figure is worked out to the cent, as the official calculator does.
Parenting time in Texas
Texas's guidelines don't adjust for parenting time; courts may deviate. The Texas guidelines don't adjust support for parenting time. Courts may deviate based on the time each parent has with the children.
Low and high incomes in Texas
For 2 children with Parent B earning $40,000, the guideline amount is about $377 a month when Parent A earns $20,000 a year and about $2,925 a month when Parent A earns $250,000.
When the paying parent's net resources are under $1,000 a month, lower percentages apply: 15% for one child up to 35% for five or more. Texas has no self-support reserve and no minimum order.
The percentages apply to net resources up to $11,700 a month. Above that, a court may order more based on the children's proven needs.
Child support by number of children in Texas
- 1 child$840 a month
- 2 children$1,050 a month
- 3 children$1,260 a month
- 4 children$1,470 a month
- 5 children$1,680 a month
Parent A earns $60,000, Parent B $40,000; the children live mostly with Parent B.
Official sources and verification
- Law: Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.061–154.133
- Texas child support guidelines
- 2026 Tax Charts (Office of the Attorney General)
- Official Texas child support calculator
- Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Child Support Division
- Changing a Texas child support order
Guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Verified against the official Texas sources on October 6, 2026. How we calculate →
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Texas?
Texas sets child support as a percentage of the paying parent's monthly net resources: 20% for one child, rising to 40% for five or more children. The other parent's income doesn't change the guideline amount. Net resources are gross income minus Social Security and Medicare taxes, federal income tax for a single filer with the standard deduction, state income tax, union dues and the cost of the children's health and dental insurance. The Office of the Attorney General publishes tax charts each year for this step.
What is the child support for one child in Texas on $50,000?
If Parent A earns $50,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the child lives mostly with Parent B, Texas's guideline amount for one child is about $706 a month (Parent A pays Parent B). Courts can deviate from the guideline amount.
Does 50/50 custody mean no child support in Texas?
Not necessarily. With about equal parenting time, 2 children, Parent A earning $60,000 and Parent B $40,000, the guideline amount is about $1,050 a month (Parent A pays Parent B). The Texas guidelines don't adjust support for parenting time. Courts may deviate based on the time each parent has with the children.
What is the minimum child support in Texas?
When the paying parent's net resources are under $1,000 a month, lower percentages apply: 15% for one child up to 35% for five or more. Texas has no self-support reserve and no minimum order.
When does child support end in Texas?
Support continues until 18 or high school graduation, whichever is later, and indefinitely for a child disabled before 18.