Wisconsin Child Support Calculator (2026)
Wis. Admin. Code DCF § 150.03 sets Wisconsin’s child‑support guideline as a fixed percentage of the paying parent’s monthly gross income, with the rate rising as the number of children increases: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 34% for five or more. The same schedule applies unless a shared‑placement, split‑placement, or low‑/high‑income adjustment is triggered.
Reviewed 2026-09-02 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.
How Wisconsin calculates it
- Identify the paying parent’s monthly gross income.
- Count the number of children the support order will cover.
- Select the corresponding percentage from the Wisconsin schedule (1 child = 17%, 2 children = 25%, 3 children = 29%, 4 children = 31%, 5+ children = 34%).
- Multiply that percentage by the gross income to arrive at the guideline monthly support amount.
- Note that Wisconsin applies the percentage to gross income; other schedules exist for shared placement, split placement, or extreme income levels.
Worked example
In the worked example, a paying parent with $5,000/month gross income and 2 children applies the 25% rate, resulting in $1,250/month guideline support.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of my gross income is used for child support if I have three children?
For three children, Wisconsin applies a 29% rate to the paying parent’s monthly gross income.
Does Wisconsin calculate child support on gross or net income?
Wisconsin uses the paying parent’s gross income, not net, when applying the percentage schedule.
How does a shared‑placement (both parents have the child at least 25% of overnights) affect the guideline?
Shared‑placement triggers a different schedule, but the standard percentage table (17%‑34%) applies only when the standard schedule is used.
Are there separate guidelines for very low‑ or high‑income parents?
Yes, Wisconsin has alternate schedules for low‑ and high‑income payers; the standard percentages listed apply to the regular schedule.
Has Wisconsin changed its child‑support percentages recently?
The percentages in Wis. Admin. Code DCF § 150.03 (17%, 25%, 29%, 31%, 34%) have been the current standard and have not been altered in the most recent updates.
Is the calculation different in Milwaukee, Madison or Green Bay?
No. Wis. Admin. Code DCF § 150.03 sets one statewide guideline, so a case in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay uses the same percentages as anywhere else in Wisconsin. Judges everywhere in the state may deviate only with written findings.