Alimony Calculator
Estimate monthly alimony (spousal support) and a typical duration from each spouse's income and the length of the marriage. It uses two widely cited guideline formulas, so you can see a realistic range.
Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browser · Last reviewed November 2026
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About the Alimony Calculator
Alimony, also called spousal support or spousal maintenance, is money one spouse pays the other after a divorce. There is no single national formula: each state has its own rules and judges have discretion. This calculator uses two common guideline approaches to give you a ballpark: the 30%/20% rule (30% of the payer's gross income minus 20% of the recipient's, capped so the recipient does not end up with more than 40% of combined income) and a one-third/25% variant. Treat the result as a starting point for a conversation with an attorney, not a prediction.
How to use it
- Enter the payer's annual gross income.
- Enter the recipient's annual gross income (use 0 if they do not work).
- Enter the years of marriage.
- Press Estimate alimony to see a monthly range and typical duration.
What courts consider
- Length of the marriage and each spouse's standard of living.
- Each spouse's income, earning capacity, age and health.
- Contributions to the household, including raising children and supporting a spouse's career.
- Child support and property division, which are decided alongside alimony.
Example
| Payer income | Recipient income | 30/20 guideline per month |
|---|---|---|
| $90,000 | $30,000 | $1,500 |
| $120,000 | $40,000 | $2,000 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $1,500 |
| $150,000 | $75,000 | $1,250 |
The cap keeps the recipient's income plus support at or below 40% of combined income, so the real number can be lower than the raw difference.
Taxes on alimony
- For divorce agreements signed after December 31, 2018, alimony is not deductible for the payer and not taxable income for the recipient under federal law.
- Older agreements may follow the previous rules unless they were modified to adopt the new ones.
- Some states treat alimony differently for state income tax. Check yours.
Types of alimony
- Temporary: paid while the divorce is pending.
- Rehabilitative: paid for a set period while the recipient gains education or skills.
- Permanent or long-term: more common after long marriages, and usually ends on death or remarriage of the recipient.
Frequently asked questions
How is alimony calculated?
There is no national formula. Many states start from the difference in income and the length of the marriage. A common rule of thumb is 30% of the payer's gross income minus 20% of the recipient's, capped at 40% of combined income.
How long does alimony last?
A common guideline is 30% to 50% of the length of the marriage, though some states give longer terms and long marriages may qualify for indefinite support.
Is alimony taxable in 2026?
For divorces finalized after 2018, alimony is not taxable to the recipient and not deductible by the payer for federal income tax.
Does alimony end if the recipient remarries?
In most states yes, support usually ends on remarriage or the death of either spouse unless the agreement says otherwise.
Is this calculator accurate for my state?
It gives an estimate only. States such as Texas, Florida and New York have their own rules and caps, and a judge can deviate. Consult a family law attorney.
Can men receive alimony?
Yes. Alimony laws are gender-neutral and based on need and ability to pay.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Estimate only. Courts set alimony under state law and use judgment; talk to a family law attorney. Alimony from divorces finalized after 2018 is not deductible by the payer or taxable to the recipient under federal law.