What is a Pay Stub?
A pay stub (some people call it a paycheck stub, pay slip, or earnings statement) is the page that shows what happened to your pay for a specific pay period. It lists your earnings, then shows what was taken out, and ends with the amount you actually took home.
For many people, the part they care about most is net pay. That is the money that lands in your account after taxes and other deductions.
Pay stubs also help you look back later and understand your pay history without guessing.
Why Does a Pay Stub Matter?
Pay stubs are not just “extra paperwork.” They come up in real life.
People use them to show proof of income for renting an apartment, applying for a loan, or sorting out a tax question. Employers use them to keep payroll records clear, and employees use them to spot issues early, like a missing hour, a wrong rate, or a deduction that does not look right.
If you have ever looked at a paycheck and thought “this feels off, the pay stub is usually where the answer is.
How to Create a Pay Stub Online (Step-by-Step Guide)
Making a pay stub online is mostly about entering the same details you would normally see on a printed stub, then checking the preview before you save it.
Enter Employer Information
Start with basic employer details, such as:
- Company name
- Business address
- Employer ID number (if you have one)
This is what makes the stub look like it belongs to the right business.
Input Employee Details
Add the employee details:
- Full name
- Employee ID (if you use one)
- Job title (optional)
This keeps each stub tied to the right person.
Enter Earnings and Deductions
Next comes the pay period numbers.
For earnings, you might enter:
- Hourly pay or salary amount
- Hours worked (if hourly)
- Overtime, bonuses, commissions, or tips (if those apply)
For deductions, you might enter:
- Federal withholdings
- State or local withholdings (if those apply)
- Social Security and Medicare
- Benefits deductions like insurance or retirement (if you have them)
If you are not sure about a line item, pause and confirm it before you move on. Small mistakes add up.
Preview and Download
Preview the pay stub and read it like you are the employee receiving it. Check the pay period dates, the totals, and the net pay. When it looks right, download the finished stub as a PDF and save a copy for your records.
What Information is Included on a Pay Stub?
Most pay stubs show the same core details, even when the layout looks different:
- Gross pay (pay before deductions)
- Net pay (take home pay)
- Deductions (taxes and other withholdings)
- Year to date totals, often shown as YTD, so you can track earnings and deductions over the year
Some stubs also show sick time or PTO balances, depending on the employer and the state.
Who Needs a Pay Stub?
Pay stubs matter to more people than most realize.
Employers
Employers use pay stubs to document payroll and keep pay details consistent from one pay period to the next. It also cuts down on confusion when employees ask how pay was calculated.
Employees
Employees use pay stubs to keep track of income and deductions, and to confirm pay is correct. Pay stubs also get used often for proof of income.
Self-Employed / Contractors
If you are self employed or paid as a contractor, you might still need pay style records for things like rentals, loan paperwork, or personal bookkeeping. In those cases, a pay stub style document can help you keep your income history organized.
State-Specific Pay Stub Requirements
Pay stub rules vary by state, and the details can get specific.
Some states spell out what must appear on a wage statement and how often employees must get one. For example, California and New York have clear wage statement rules and item lists.
Other states may not spell out the same wage statement rules in state law. For example, Florida is often discussed as a state where pay stub rules rely more on federal recordkeeping standards than a detailed state wage statement statute.
Texas can be confusing because different sources describe it differently depending on worker type, pay method, and which rules apply. If you are operating in Texas, it is worth checking state guidance for your exact situation.
For a comprehensive breakdown of pay stub requirements across all states, check out our Pay Stub Requirements by State: 2026 Chart & Checklist .
This section is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure about what your state expects on wage statements, check your state labor agency guidance or talk to a qualified professional.
Benefits of Using an Online Pay Stub Generator
An online pay stub generator is mostly about saving time and keeping the layout consistent.
It can also help you:
- Put the pay details in a format people recognize
- Keep your pay period records organized
- Create stubs on demand when you need them for paperwork
- Store copies for later, instead of searching old emails or paper files
If you are creating pay stubs for a business, it also helps keep things uniform across employees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is what you earned before deductions. Net pay is what you actually take home after taxes and other deductions.
Are online pay stubs legal?
They can be, but the key is whether the information is truthful and whether the wage statement meets the rules that apply where the work is done. If you are using pay stubs for official purposes, always match the details to real payroll records.
Can I generate pay stubs for free?
Some sites offer free previews, and some charge a fee to download the final PDF. What matters most is that your numbers match your real pay records.
What should be included on a pay stub?
Most pay stubs show gross pay, deductions, net pay, and year to date totals. Many also show pay period dates and hours worked for hourly employees.
Start Creating Your Pay Stub Today
If you are ready to make a pay stub, head to ePayStubs, enter your details, review the preview, and save the PDF for your records.
