Kids Allowance Calculator
Estimate an age-based kids' allowance.
Common rule: $1 per year of age
Results update as you type.
How it works
Many parents use a simple age-based rule to set a child's allowance, and this calculator applies it. You enter your child's age and a rate per year of age, and it returns the weekly, monthly, and yearly allowance. The most common guideline is one dollar per year of age per week, so an 8-year-old gets $8 a week, a 10-year-old $10, and so on, with the amount rising naturally as the child grows and takes on more responsibility. You can adjust the rate up or down to fit your family's budget and values. Allowance is widely used as a tool to teach children about money — budgeting, saving, spending choices, and the value of earning — and many families tie some or all of it to chores, while others give it unconditionally and handle chores separately. A common approach is to have children divide their allowance into save, spend, and give portions to build good financial habits early. The right amount depends on your family's finances, what the allowance is expected to cover, and local norms, so treat this as a starting point rather than a rule. Consistency matters more than the exact figure for teaching money skills. Enter your child's age and your chosen rate to estimate the allowance.
Weekly = age × rate per year of age
A popular guideline sets a child's weekly allowance at their age times a fixed dollar rate — commonly one dollar per year of age. Multiplying by 52 gives the yearly amount, and dividing that by 12 gives the monthly figure, scaling the allowance up as the child grows.
Source:Allowance guidelines
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter child's age.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust rate per year of age if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Weekly allowance updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How much allowance should I give my child?
A popular guideline is one dollar per year of age per week, so an 8-year-old gets $8 weekly. This scales naturally as the child grows. There is no single right amount — adjust the rate to your family's budget, what the allowance should cover, and your values. Consistency matters more than the exact figure for teaching money skills.
Should allowance be tied to chores?
Families differ. Some tie allowance to completing chores to teach that money is earned, while others give it unconditionally and treat chores as a family responsibility handled separately. Both approaches can work. A middle path pays a base allowance plus extra for optional bigger jobs. Choose what fits your family's values around work, money, and responsibility.
How can allowance teach kids about money?
Allowance gives children real money to make decisions with, teaching budgeting, saving for goals, and the trade-offs of spending. A common method has kids split allowance into save, spend, and give jars or accounts. Letting them make and learn from small mistakes builds financial skills that carry into adulthood far better than lectures alone.
At what age should I start giving allowance?
Many families start around ages 5 to 7, when children can understand basic money concepts and counting. Younger children can begin with small amounts and simple lessons, while older kids can handle larger allowances and more responsibility, like managing money for their own activities or clothing. Start when your child shows interest and readiness to learn about money.
Should the allowance increase as my child grows?
Yes, typically. As children age, they can handle more money and often take on more of their own expenses, so allowances usually rise with age — which the per-year-of-age rule does automatically. Periodically revisiting the amount, and expanding what the allowance is expected to cover, helps teach increasing financial responsibility as your child matures.