California child support by income, one child
With the other parent netting $4,000 a month and the paying parent caring for the child 20% of the time, guideline support for one child is $960 at $5,000 of net income, $1,200 at $6,000 and $1,789 at $10,000.[1] When the parent you expect to pay actually earns less than the other parent, the formula can reverse the direction of payment.
| Paying parent’s net income | No timeshare | 20% timeshare | 35% timeshare | 50/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $750 | $480 | $186 | $188 the other way |
| $4,000 | $1,000 | $720 | $405 | $0 |
| $5,000 | $1,250 | $960 | $624 | $188 |
| $6,000 | $1,500 | $1,200 | $844 | $375 |
| $8,000 | $1,799 | $1,511 | $1,154 | $675 |
| $10,000 | $2,071 | $1,789 | $1,426 | $932 |
| $15,000 | $2,747 | $2,462 | $2,065 | $1,511 |
Read across a row to see how time changes support. The formula multiplies by (1 + H%), where H% is the higher earner’s share of time, so more time with the higher earner lowers what they pay.[1]
How parenting time changes California child support
Each 10 points of timeshare for the paying parent lowers support substantially; at 50/50 the higher earner still pays when incomes differ.[1]
| Paying parent’s timeshare | Guideline support |
|---|---|
| 0% | $1,500.00 |
| 10% | $1,375.00 |
| 20% | $1,200.00 |
| 30% | $975.00 |
| 40% | $700.00 |
| 50% | $375.00 |
How much child support is for 1 kid in California, and for more
For one child the formula gives the base amount; for more children the statute multiplies it by 1.6 for two, 2 for three, 2.3 for four and 2.5 for five.[1]
| Children | Multiplier | Guideline support |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | $1,200.00 |
| 2 | 1.6 | $1,920.00 |
| 3 | 2 | $2,400.00 |
| 4 | 2.3 | $2,760.00 |
| 5 | 2.5 | $3,000.00 |
Low-income parents
When the paying parent nets less than $2,929 a month in 2026, the court presumes a reduction of up to the formula amount × (2,929 − net income) ÷ 2,929.[1][5] In the Judicial Council’s example, a parent netting $2,500 with no timeshare and one child has a formula amount of $488, which can be reduced to $417.[6] The court can also reduce support that would take more than half of a low-income payer’s net income.[2]
Net disposable income, briefly
Net disposable income is gross income minus income taxes actually owed, FICA, mandatory union dues and retirement contributions, health insurance premiums, court-ordered support for others and any hardship deduction.[3] It is not the same as take-home pay: voluntary 401(k) contributions, for example, are not deducted.
For your own numbers, including child care and uninsured health costs, use the California child support calculator. Compare California with other states in how much child support is, or start from the child support calculator by state.
Estimates, not orders. The court sets the amount, and the DCSS Guideline Calculator is the state’s official tool. Not legal advice; see our legal disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How much is child support for 1 kid in California?
It depends on both incomes and the timeshare. With net incomes of $6,000 and $4,000 it is $1,500.00 a month with no timeshare, $1,200 at 20% and $375.00 at 50/50.
What percentage of income is child support in California?
There is no single percentage. The K-factor allocates about 20% to 25% of combined net income to one child, and the paying parent covers the part above their own time-weighted share.
Is there a maximum child support in California?
No fixed cap. Above $15,000 of combined net income the K-factor shrinks, and a court may order less than the formula for an extraordinarily high earner if the amount exceeds the children’s needs.
Does 50/50 custody mean no child support in California?
No. With equal time, the higher earner still pays when incomes differ.
Sources
- Family Code § 4055 (statewide uniform guideline formula)
- Family Code § 4057 (presumption and rebuttal factors)
- Family Code § 4059 (net disposable income)
- Guideline Support Calculators and Low-Income Adjustment threshold
- Low-Income Adjustment threshold by year, 1994–2026
- Review of the Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline 2025 (report to the Legislature)