🙏 Tithe Calculator
By ToolNimba Editorial Team · Reviewed by ToolNimba Editorial Review, personal finance content · Updated 2026-06-19
A tithe is a personal matter of faith and conscience, not a legal or financial obligation. This calculator only does the arithmetic for you, it does not tell you whether, how much, or on what basis you should give. How you tithe (gross or net, regularly or on windfalls) is between you, your conscience and your faith community. This is not financial, tax or religious advice, speak to your faith leader and a qualified adviser for guidance specific to your situation.
A tithe is traditionally a tenth (10%) of your income given to your church or a charitable cause. This calculator works out the tithe for you: enter your income, set the percentage (10% by default), and choose whether you are basing it on gross or net income. You will instantly see the tithe amount and the remainder you keep, so you can plan your giving and your budget with confidence.
What is the Tithe Calculator?
The word tithe comes from an Old English word meaning tenth, and that is exactly what it has historically meant: giving a tenth, or 10%, of your income. The maths is simple. The tithe equals your income multiplied by the tithe percentage and divided by 100, so a 10% tithe on 2,000 of income is 2,000 times 10 divided by 100, which is 200. The remainder you keep is just your income minus the tithe, in this case 1,800. The only real decision is which income figure and which percentage you apply.
The biggest practical question is whether you tithe on gross income (the full amount before tax and deductions) or net income (your take-home pay after tax). There is no single right answer, and faith communities differ. Some teach that the tithe should come off the top of the gross, as a first priority before anything else. Others point out that you never actually receive the tax portion, so tithing on net pay is reasonable. Many people choose a basis they can sustain consistently rather than agonising over the theology, and this calculator supports either by letting you enter whichever income figure you prefer.
While 10% is the classic figure, plenty of people give a different percentage. Some start smaller, say 2% or 5%, and increase their giving over time as their finances allow. Others give beyond the tithe, treating 10% as a floor rather than a ceiling and adding offerings on top. Because the calculator lets you type any percentage, you can model a partial tithe you are working up to, a flat 10%, or a more generous figure, and immediately see both the gift and what is left for the rest of your budget.
When to use it
- Working out a 10% tithe from your monthly or annual income before you give.
- Comparing what a tithe costs on gross income versus net take-home pay.
- Planning a percentage you can build up to, such as starting at 5% and increasing over time.
- Budgeting the remainder so your giving and your living costs both fit comfortably.
How to use the Tithe Calculator
- Enter your income amount (monthly, annual, or per paycheck, whatever you want to tithe on).
- Set the tithe percentage, or leave it at the default 10%.
- Choose whether the income figure is gross (before tax) or net (take-home).
- Read off the tithe amount to give and the remainder you keep.
Formula & method
Worked examples
You earn $2,000 this month and want to tithe the traditional 10%.
- tithe = 2,000 × 10 ÷ 100
- tithe = 20,000 ÷ 100 = 200
- remainder = 2,000 − 200 = 1,800
Result: Tithe $200.00, remainder $1,800.00
Your gross annual income is $60,000 and you give a 5% partial tithe while building up.
- tithe = 60,000 × 5 ÷ 100
- tithe = 300,000 ÷ 100 = 3,000
- remainder = 60,000 − 3,000 = 57,000
Result: Tithe $3,000.00, remainder $57,000.00
Tithe amount and remainder at 10% for common income figures
| Income | 10% tithe | Remainder kept |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $100 | $900 |
| $2,500 | $250 | $2,250 |
| $4,000 | $400 | $3,600 |
| $5,500 | $550 | $4,950 |
| $8,000 | $800 | $7,200 |
How the percentage changes the tithe on $3,000 of income
| Percentage | Tithe | Remainder kept |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5% | $75 | $2,925 |
| 5% | $150 | $2,850 |
| 10% | $300 | $2,700 |
| 15% | $450 | $2,550 |
| 20% | $600 | $2,400 |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a tithe must be exactly 10%. Ten percent is the traditional figure, but giving is a personal decision. Some give less and build up over time, others give more. The percentage is yours to choose, the calculator simply does the arithmetic for whatever rate you set.
- Mixing up gross and net without deciding. Tithing on gross income produces a larger gift than tithing on net take-home pay, because gross includes the tax you never receive. Pick a basis and apply it consistently rather than switching back and forth.
- Forgetting to tithe on irregular income. A salary is easy to plan for, but bonuses, freelance payments, gifts and other windfalls are easy to overlook. Decide in advance how you will treat one-off income so it does not slip past your giving.
- Budgeting the full income then giving from nothing. If you allocate all of your income to expenses first, there may be nothing left to give. Many people calculate the tithe first and budget the remainder, which is the figure this tool shows you.
Glossary
- Tithe
- A portion of income, traditionally a tenth (10%), given to a church or charitable cause.
- Gross income
- Your total income before tax and other deductions are taken out.
- Net income
- Your take-home pay, the amount left after tax and deductions.
- Offering
- A voluntary gift given in addition to the tithe, with no fixed percentage.
- Firstfruits
- The idea of giving from the first and best of your income rather than what is left over.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a tithe?
Multiply your income by the tithe percentage and divide by 100. For the traditional 10% tithe, that is income times 10 divided by 100, which is the same as dividing your income by ten. On $2,000 of income a 10% tithe is $200, and the remainder you keep is $1,800.
Is a tithe always 10 percent?
Ten percent is the historic meaning of the word tithe (a tenth), and it is the most common figure. But giving is personal: some people give less and increase over time, others give more than 10%. This calculator lets you set any percentage you wish.
Should I tithe on gross or net income?
There is no universal rule, and faith communities differ. Tithing on gross income (before tax) gives off the full amount as a first priority, while tithing on net income (take-home pay) reflects what you actually receive. Choose the basis you can sustain and apply it consistently. The calculator supports either.
Do I tithe on bonuses, gifts or other windfalls?
Many people choose to tithe on all income, including bonuses, freelance work, gifts and other one-off amounts, since these are still income. Decide your approach in advance so irregular income is not overlooked. Ultimately this is a personal decision for you and your faith community.
Can I work up to a full tithe gradually?
Yes. There is nothing wrong with starting at a smaller percentage, such as 2% or 5%, and raising it as your finances allow. Enter your starting percentage in the calculator to see the gift and the remainder, then adjust the figure over time.
Is this calculator religious or financial advice?
No. This tool only performs the arithmetic of multiplying your income by a percentage. It does not advise whether, how much, or on what basis you should give. For guidance specific to your beliefs and circumstances, speak to your faith leader and a qualified financial adviser.
Sources
- Tithe , Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Making a budget , U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau