Unemployment Benefits Estimator (By US State)

Get a rough weekly unemployment benefit estimate based on your state and recent earnings.

StateYour highest-earning quarter (last ~18 months)$

—estimated weekly benefit

—max weeks of benefits

—estimated maximum total benefit

—your state's 2026 maximum WBA

Estimates only — not an official determination. Uses a simplified generic formula (highest quarter ÷ 26, capped at your state's 2026 maximum); real state formulas vary. File with your state unemployment office for an official amount. Source: US Dept. of Labor.

✨ What do you want to try next?

You've finished this tool — here are a few you might find useful.

Self-Employment Tax Calculator (US)Estimate your Social Security and Medicare tax as a freelancer or 1099 contractor.Try it →401(k) Early Withdrawal Penalty Calculator (US)See what a 401(k) withdrawal before age 59½ costs after penalty and tax.Try it →Backdoor Roth IRA Calculator (US)See how much of your backdoor Roth conversion is taxable under the pro-rata rule.Try it →Surprise MeWe'll pick something random.Surprise Me →

Explore 100+ free toolsPDF, Image, Text, Convert, Calculate and more — all free.View all tools →

About the Unemployment Benefits Estimator

If you've recently lost your job, your state's unemployment insurance program can replace part of your lost wages while you look for work. Each state sets its own formula and maximum weekly benefit amount (WBA), so the same earnings history produces very different benefits depending on where you live. This tool applies a common simplified formula — highest-quarter wages ÷ 26 — capped at your state's published 2026 maximum, to give you a ballpark figure.

How it works

Enter your highest-earning quarter (3 months) of wages from the last ~18 months — this is the base-period quarter most states weight most heavily.
The estimator divides that by 26 (a common approximation used by many states) to estimate a weekly benefit.
The result is capped at your selected state's 2026 maximum weekly benefit amount — real state formulas differ in the exact divisor, base-period definition and any dependent allowances.

Assumptions and behaviour

Uses a simplified, generic formula (highest-quarter wages ÷ 26) since exact state formulas vary — some states use a percentage of average weekly wage, some use two quarters, some add dependent allowances.
Maximum weekly benefit amounts and benefit duration (weeks) are the 2026 published state maximums, aggregated from state workforce agency figures — always confirm with your state's unemployment office.
Minimum earnings/work-history eligibility requirements are not checked — this only estimates the benefit amount if you qualify.

Limitations

Not an official determination. Your actual weekly benefit amount is set by your state workforce agency using their exact formula, verified wage records and base period.
Doesn't account for dependent allowances, partial unemployment, or severance/vacation pay offsets some states apply.
Estimates only — not legal or financial advice. File your claim with your state's unemployment office for an official amount.

Privacy

The calculation runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.

Frequently asked questions

Is this unemployment benefits estimator free?

Yes — free, no sign-up, no limits, runs in your browser.

Why does my state matter so much?

Each state runs its own unemployment insurance program with its own formula and maximum weekly benefit — the same earnings can produce a very different benefit from state to state.

Is this the exact amount I'll receive?

No — this is a rough estimate using a simplified generic formula. Your state's official calculation (from your actual base-period wage records) may differ meaningfully. File a claim with your state agency for the real number.

What's a 'highest quarter'?

Most states look at wages in a 'base period' of the last 12–18 months, broken into calendar quarters, and use your single highest-earning quarter to help calculate your weekly benefit.

Is my data uploaded?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.

Written by Lakshay Kumar(TechLakshay)

A QA Automation Engineer by trade, Lakshay's real passion is untangling complex problems into simple, working solutions — which is exactly why FreeMyTask exists. On Instagram, he channels that same instinct into helping 26,000+ content creators with SEO education, motivation, and hands-on query solving.

Last updated: August 22, 2026