Calculate Your Federal Poverty Level

Use this interactive federal poverty level calculator to estimate your household’s percent of the Federal Poverty Level based on your annual income, household size, and state category. This estimate is often used for Medicaid screening, Marketplace savings, CHIP review, and other income-based program checks.

This calculator uses the 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC, Alaska, and Hawaii. Programs may count income differently, use MAGI rules, or apply separate eligibility standards, so treat this as an estimate rather than a legal determination.

How to calculate your federal poverty level

If you are trying to understand whether your income falls at 100%, 138%, 150%, 200%, or another percentage of the Federal Poverty Level, the process is simpler than it looks. You need three things: your household size, the correct geographic guideline group, and your annual household income. Once you have those figures, you divide your income by the poverty guideline for your household and multiply by 100. That gives you your percentage of the Federal Poverty Level, often shortened to FPL.

The Federal Poverty Level is widely used across the United States for income screening and eligibility review. Medicaid agencies, Marketplace plans, CHIP programs, hospitals, and community assistance programs frequently use FPL percentages as a quick way to compare household income to a standard benchmark. For example, many discussions about Medicaid expansion refer to 138% FPL, while Affordable Care Act premium tax credit discussions often mention income as a percent of FPL.

In practice, the phrase “calculate your federal poverty level” usually means calculating your household income as a percentage of the federal poverty guideline, not just looking up the guideline itself. The guideline is the baseline dollar amount. Your FPL percentage shows how your household income compares to that baseline.

2024 federal poverty guideline amounts

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publishes annual poverty guideline figures. For 2024, the baseline yearly amounts differ depending on whether you live in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC, Alaska, or Hawaii. The table below shows the official annual guideline amounts for common household sizes.

Household Size	48 States and DC	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$15,060	$18,810	$17,310
2	$20,440	$25,470	$23,420
3	$25,820	$32,130	$29,530
4	$31,200	$38,790	$35,640
5	$36,580	$45,450	$41,750
6	$41,960	$52,110	$47,860
7	$47,340	$58,770	$53,970
8	$52,720	$65,430	$60,080

For households larger than 8 people, you add a fixed amount for each additional person. In 2024, that additional amount is $5,380 in the 48 states and DC, $6,660 in Alaska, and $6,110 in Hawaii. So if you have a household of 9 in the 48 states and DC, you would add $5,380 to the 8-person amount of $52,720, which equals $58,100.

The basic formula

Here is the core formula:

1. Find the poverty guideline for your household size and location.
2. Determine your annual household income.
3. Divide income by the guideline amount.
4. Multiply by 100.

Example: a household of 3 in the 48 states and DC has a 2024 poverty guideline of $25,820. If annual household income is $40,000, the calculation is:

$40,000 ÷ $25,820 × 100 = 154.9%

That means the household is at about 155% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Common FPL benchmarks people use

Many health and assistance programs do not simply ask whether you are below or above 100% FPL. Instead, they often refer to threshold percentages. The table below gives a practical reference for a household of 1 to 4 in the 48 states and DC. This can help you quickly visualize what key income thresholds look like in dollars.

Household Size	100% FPL	138% FPL	150% FPL	200% FPL
1	$15,060	$20,783	$22,590	$30,120
2	$20,440	$28,207	$30,660	$40,880
3	$25,820	$35,632	$38,730	$51,640
4	$31,200	$43,056	$46,800	$62,400

These percentages matter because many policy conversations and eligibility guides use them as shorthand. For example, 138% FPL is a familiar Medicaid expansion benchmark for many adults in expansion states. Other programs may look at 150%, 200%, 250%, or 400% FPL. The exact cutoffs depend on the program, state rules, age, pregnancy status, disability pathway, and tax household structure.

What income should you use?

One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong income figure. For a quick estimate, many people start with gross annual household income before taxes. That is what this calculator uses. However, actual program eligibility can involve special counting rules. In health coverage programs, modified adjusted gross income, often called MAGI, may be used. For other assistance programs, deductions, exclusions, or household composition rules can change the number.

Income sources that may matter

• Wages and salary
• Self-employment income
• Unemployment compensation
• Social Security benefits in some contexts
• Retirement distributions
• Interest, dividends, and certain investment income
• Seasonal or fluctuating work income

If your income changes month to month, estimate as accurately as possible for the full year. This is especially important if you are applying for Marketplace subsidies, because your projected annual income may be more important than what you earned in a single recent month. If you are applying for another type of assistance, always review the program’s income instructions carefully.

Who counts in the household?

Household size is another area that can affect the result. In a simple estimate, many people count themselves, their spouse if applicable, and dependents. But official household definitions may vary by program. Medicaid, CHIP, Marketplace plans, and non-health programs can use slightly different rules. A child claimed as a dependent, a non-filer, a pregnant applicant, or a shared custody arrangement may create differences between an everyday household count and the official application household.

If you are only trying to get a planning estimate, counting the people generally included on the tax return is often a practical starting point. If you are preparing an official application, verify the household rules for that specific benefit.

Step by step example calculations

Example 1: Single adult in the 48 states and DC

Suppose you are a single adult with an annual income of $24,000. For a household size of 1, the 2024 guideline is $15,060.

1. $24,000 ÷ $15,060 = 1.5936
2. 1.5936 × 100 = 159.36%

Your estimated income is about 159% FPL.

Example 2: Family of 4 in Alaska

A family of 4 in Alaska with annual income of $70,000 uses the Alaska 4-person guideline of $38,790.

1. $70,000 ÷ $38,790 = 1.8046
2. 1.8046 × 100 = 180.46%

That family is at about 180% FPL.

Example 3: Household of 5 in Hawaii

For a household of 5 in Hawaii, the 2024 guideline is $41,750. If income is $100,000:

1. $100,000 ÷ $41,750 = 2.3952
2. 2.3952 × 100 = 239.52%

The household is at about 240% FPL.

Why FPL matters for health coverage and assistance

FPL percentages are often used as a common language across public and private assistance systems. In health coverage, they can affect whether someone may qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace savings. In hospital settings, they may be used for financial assistance policies. Community programs may also use FPL as a screening guide for reduced-cost services, nutrition support referrals, housing services, or legal aid intake.

Even when FPL is important, it is rarely the only rule. Age, disability, immigration category, pregnancy status, student status, tax filing plans, and state-specific eligibility pathways can all matter. That is why an FPL calculator is best viewed as a strong first estimate rather than the final word.

Important limitations to keep in mind

• The poverty guidelines are not the same as the Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds.
• Some programs use current monthly income, while others use projected annual income.
• Some programs count MAGI, not simple gross wages.
• Pregnancy can affect effective household size in some benefit determinations.
• State-specific policies may alter practical eligibility outcomes even when FPL is the same.
• Marketplace subsidy calculations can involve reconciliation on your federal tax return.

Tips for getting the most accurate estimate

1. Use your best estimate of total annual household income, not just one paycheck.
2. Double-check whether you should enter monthly income or annual income.
3. Use the correct location category: 48 states and DC, Alaska, or Hawaii.
4. Make sure your household size matches the program rules you are using.
5. Compare your result to common thresholds like 100%, 138%, 150%, and 200% FPL.
6. If income is volatile, document your assumptions for future updates.

Authoritative sources to verify your result

For official guideline figures and program instructions, consult primary sources rather than relying only on third-party websites. The following resources are among the best places to confirm details:

• HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation poverty guidelines
• Medicaid.gov
• HealthCare.gov Federal Poverty Level overview

Final takeaway

To calculate your federal poverty level, identify the correct annual poverty guideline for your household size and location, divide your annual household income by that guideline, and multiply by 100. That percentage gives you a fast and useful estimate that can help you understand where you stand relative to common eligibility thresholds. It is a practical planning tool for health coverage, public benefits, and financial assistance screening.

If you need a quick answer, use the calculator above. If you need a formal eligibility determination, follow up with the relevant agency, Marketplace, or program administrator and confirm the exact income and household counting rules that apply to your situation.