Work out a fair allowance for your child with an age-based rule or a fixed amount, add pay for extra chores, and split it into Save, Spend and Give jars. See weekly, monthly and yearly totals and how long it takes to reach a savings goal.
Last updated:
Base allowance
Allowance rule
years
$
The popular rule: $1 per year of age per week.
$
Chore bonus
Paid chores beyond everyday family jobs.
$
Save / Spend / Give jars
%
%
%
%
e.g. 50% = parents add 50¢ for every $1 saved.
$
Something the child is saving up for.
weeks
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Kids Allowance Calculator
Choose an allowance rule: an amount per year of age or a fixed weekly amount.
Add extra chores and what each one pays, if you use a chore bonus.
Set the Save, Spend and Give percentages and an optional parent match.
Enter a savings goal your child is working toward.
Read the weekly allowance, the amount for each jar and the weeks to the goal.
Allowance by age chart
Using the common "$1 per week for each year of age" rule and two popular variations. Amounts are per week unless noted.
Age
$0.50 per year
$1 per year
$1.50 per year
$1 per year, per month
5
$2.50
$5
$7.50
$21.67/mo
7
$3.50
$7
$10.50
$30.33/mo
9
$4.50
$9
$13.50
$39/mo
11
$5.50
$11
$16.50
$47.67/mo
13
$6.50
$13
$19.50
$56.33/mo
15
$7.50
$15
$22.50
$65/mo
17
$8.50
$17
$25.50
$73.67/mo
The last column is the weekly $1-per-year amount expressed per month (weekly × 52 ÷ 12).
How the calculator works
Weekly allowance = (rate × age) + (extra chores × pay per chore) Each jar = weekly allowance × its percentage
Example: a 9-year-old on $1 per year of age gets $9, plus 2 extra chores at $1 each, for $11 a week. With a 40/50/10 split that is $4.40 to save, $5.50 to spend and $1.10 to give. Saving for a $60 goal takes 14 weeks, or 10 weeks with a 50% parent match.
Tips for a successful allowance
Pay on the same day each week so children learn to plan between paydays.
Use clear jars or envelopes for young kids so they can see the money grow.
Let them make small mistakes. Spending everything on day one and waiting a week is a cheap lesson.
Raise it with responsibilities. Review the amount on birthdays and shift more expenses to the child as they grow.
Talk about giving. Let the child choose where the Give jar goes.
Frequently asked questions
How much allowance should a child get by age?
A popular rule of thumb is $1 per week for each year of age, so a 6-year-old gets $6 a week and a 12-year-old $12. Some families use half that, or a monthly version for teens who manage bigger expenses. The right amount depends on what the allowance is expected to cover.
Should allowance be tied to chores?
Families differ. A common approach is to give a base allowance for learning to manage money, expect everyday family chores without pay, and pay a bonus for extra jobs. This calculator supports that mix with a separate chore bonus.
What are Save, Spend and Give jars?
They split each allowance into money to save toward goals, money the child can spend freely, and money for charity or gifts. Splits such as 40/50/10 or equal thirds are common starting points.
What is a parent savings match?
It is when parents add money to what the child saves, for example 50 cents for every dollar. It works like an employer retirement match and rewards saving. The calculator adds the match to the Save jar.
When should kids start getting an allowance?
Many families start around ages 5 to 7, when children can count money and understand that things cost money. Starting with a small amount and clear jars helps build habits.
What should an allowance cover?
Decide up front. For young children it may cover treats and small toys. For teens it might include clothes, entertainment or phone costs, which is when a larger monthly allowance makes sense.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.