Pay Stub to W2 Converter
Enter totals from your most recent pay stub and get an instant estimate of common W‑2 boxes (wages + withholdings). Helpful for planning, catch‑ups, or when you’re still waiting on your official W‑2.
Prefer the overview? W‑2 form generator guide →
- No signup required
- Runs in your browser (no upload)
- Clear box mapping from pay stub → W‑2
How to Convert Your Pay Stub to W‑2 Format
A W‑2 is an annual summary. Your pay stub usually shows either year‑to‑date (YTD) totals or per‑paycheck amounts. The cleanest conversion is: use YTD totals from your final pay stub of the year.
What you’ll need from your pay stub
- Gross wages (preferably YTD)
- Federal income tax withheld (FIT)
- Social Security wages + tax withheld
- Medicare wages + tax withheld
- State & local wages + withholding (if shown)
If your stub doesn’t show Social Security or Medicare breakdowns, leave those fields blank—this tool will still estimate the most common boxes.
Box‑by‑box conversion (common fields)
| W‑2 box | Usually comes from pay stub |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Wages | Taxable wages / gross wages (YTD if available) |
| Box 2 Federal tax | Federal income tax withheld (YTD) |
| Box 3 Social Security wages | Social Security wages (YTD) |
| Box 4 Social Security tax | Social Security tax withheld (YTD) |
| Box 5 Medicare wages | Medicare wages (YTD) |
| Box 6 Medicare tax | Medicare tax withheld (YTD) |
| Box 16 State wages | State taxable wages (YTD) |
| Box 17 State tax | State income tax withheld (YTD) |
| Box 18–19 Local wages/tax | Local wages and local tax withheld (YTD) |
Some W‑2 boxes depend on benefit codes, retirement plan info, and employer reporting rules. This page focuses on the most common, pay‑stub‑visible fields.
Pay Stub to W‑2 Conversion Calculator
Use YTD totals when possible. If you only have a single paycheck, choose your pay frequency to annualize.
Understanding the Difference: Pay Stub vs W‑2
What’s on a pay stub
Pay stubs show earnings and deductions for a pay period (and often year‑to‑date). They can include different wage bases (taxable vs gross), benefits, reimbursements, and retirement contributions.
What’s on a W‑2
A W‑2 is a standardized year‑end tax form with specific boxes. Employers report final totals after applying tax rules and payroll reporting requirements.
What to Do If You Don’t Receive Your W‑2
Deadlines & next steps
- January 31: employers generally must send W‑2s by this date.
- If it’s missing: contact your employer/payroll provider and confirm your mailing/email address.
- If you still can’t get it: you may be able to use Form 4852 as a substitute.
Keep your final pay stub and any payroll correspondence—those are helpful when estimating totals.
Need a printable W‑2?
If you need a clean, professional W‑2 layout for documentation, you can generate a W‑2 with a free preview:
Go to W‑2 generator(For tax filing, always use your employer‑issued W‑2 whenever possible.)
FAQs
How do I calculate W2 Box 1 from my pay stub?
Take your YTD gross wages and subtract pre-tax deductions like 401(k), health insurance, HSA, and FSA contributions.
Can I use my last pay stub instead of a W2?
Yes, you can estimate your W2 figures from your final pay stub. If you don't receive your official W2, file Form 4852.
Why is my W2 Box 1 different from my gross pay?
Box 1 excludes pre-tax deductions. Your gross pay minus 401(k), health insurance, and other pre-tax benefits equals Box 1.
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