Pay Stub Abbreviations: How to Read a Pay Stub (Complete List)
Pay stubs are packed with short codes. Payroll systems use them to fit everything on one page, but they can make a simple paycheck hard to read. This guide explains the abbreviations you are most likely to see and where they appear on the stub.
The basic sections
Most pay stubs follow the same layout:
- Header: employer and employee details, pay period and pay date.
- Earnings: what was earned this period, and the year-to-date total.
- Taxes: federal, state and local taxes withheld.
- Deductions: benefits, retirement contributions and other amounts taken out.
- Summary: gross pay, total deductions and net pay.
Earnings abbreviations
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| REG | Regular hours or regular pay |
| OT | Overtime, usually paid at 1.5 × the regular rate |
| DT | Double time, required in some states for long shifts |
| HOL | Holiday pay |
| PTO | Paid time off taken this period |
| SICK | Paid sick leave taken |
| BON | Bonus |
| COMM | Commission |
| RATE | Hourly rate or salary rate for the line |
| HRS | Hours worked or paid |
Tax abbreviations
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FIT / FITW / FED | Federal income tax withheld |
| SS / OASDI / FICA-SS | Social Security tax (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance), 6.2% |
| MED / MEDI / FICA-MED | Medicare tax, 1.45% |
| FICA | Social Security and Medicare combined |
| SIT / SWT | State income tax withheld |
| LIT / LOCAL / CITY | Local or city income tax |
| SDI | State Disability Insurance (for example California, New Jersey and New York) |
| PFL / FLI | Paid family leave insurance |
| SUI | State unemployment insurance (employee share in a few states) |
Deduction abbreviations
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 401K / 403B | Retirement plan contribution (pre-tax, unless marked Roth) |
| ROTH | Roth retirement contribution (after-tax) |
| MED INS / DEN / VIS | Medical, dental or vision insurance premium |
| HSA | Health Savings Account contribution |
| FSA / DCFSA | Flexible spending account, or dependent-care FSA |
| LIFE / STD / LTD | Life insurance, short-term or long-term disability insurance |
| GARN | Wage garnishment, such as child support |
| UNION | Union dues |
Summary abbreviations
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GROSS | Total earnings before taxes and deductions |
| NET | Take-home pay after everything is withheld |
| CUR / CURRENT | Amount for this pay period |
| YTD | Year-to-date: the running total since January 1 |
| EE / ER | Employee / employer share |
| DD / DIR DEP | Direct deposit amount |
Canadian pay stub codes
Canadian stubs use different taxes: CPP (Canada Pension Plan), CPP2 (the second, enhanced CPP contribution on higher earnings), EI (Employment Insurance), QPP and QPIP in Quebec, and federal and provincial income tax. Our Canadian pay stub generator calculates these automatically.
Why YTD matters
The year-to-date column is often the most useful part of a stub. It shows whether Social Security has reached the annual wage base, how much tax has been withheld so far, and it should match the totals on the employee's W-2 at the end of the year. If you're comparing it with year-end forms, see our guide to W-2 vs 1099.
Make clear, readable stubs
If you pay employees yourself, a clear stub saves a lot of questions. With Thi Pay Stubs every line is labelled, taxes for all 50 states are calculated for you, and year-to-date totals are filled in. Your first two pay stubs are free. For the full process, read how to make a pay stub.