Unemployment benefits are calculated from your base-period wages, which in most states means the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. The standard approximation takes 1/26 of your highest-quarter wages and caps it at your state's maximum weekly benefit. A high quarter of $13,000 gives a $500 weekly estimate, subject to the state cap (for example, $450 in California or $1,208 in Washington). Most states pay up to 26 weeks, with Massachusetts allowing 30 and Montana 28. Figures vary by state and change periodically; confirm with your state agency.
How unemployment benefits are calculated
Every state's formula is different, but almost all of them start from the same place: your base period. The base period is the 12-month stretch of past earnings the state uses to decide two things, whether you qualify and how much you can receive each week. In most states the base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. If you file in October 2026, for example, the last five completed quarters end with June 2026, so your base period would normally be the four quarters ending in March 2026.
If your earnings fall outside the standard base period, or you cannot qualify under it, most states will try an alternate base period that uses the most recently completed quarters. Some states also look at total base-period wages or the number of quarters you worked, not just the highest quarter.
The calculator above uses the most common approximation: take your highest-quarter wages, divide by 26, and cap the result at the state maximum. The division by 26 treats one quarter (13 weeks) at roughly half wage replacement, which matches the target replacement rate most states are built around. Here is a worked example:
Worked example. Your highest base-period quarter is $13,000. Dividing by 26 gives $500. In Texas, the state maximum is $605, so your estimate stays $500 per week. In California, the maximum is $450, so your estimate is capped at $450 per week. If Texas lets you draw up to 26 weeks, your potential total is $500 x 26 = $13,000.
States also apply minimum earnings rules, weekly minimums, partial-benefit rules for part-time work, waiting weeks, and work-search requirements, so treat every result on this page as an estimate and confirm the real number with your state's workforce agency.
Maximum weekly unemployment benefits by state
Search the table to compare your state's maximum weekly benefit and maximum duration. Figures are maximums; your actual benefit depends on your wage history. Download the full table as CSV
| State | Max weekly benefit | Max weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $275 | 14 to 20 |
| Alaska | $442 (w/dependents) | 26 |
| Arizona | $320 | 26 |
| Arkansas | $451 | 16 |
| California | $450 | 26 |
| Colorado | $844 | 26 |
| Connecticut | $796 (w/dependents) | 26 |
| Delaware | $450 | 26 |
| District of Columbia | $444 | 26 |
| Florida | $275 | 12 to 23 |
| Georgia | $365 | 14 to 20 |
| Hawaii | $868 | 26 |
| Idaho | $624 | 26 |
| Illinois | $859 (w/dependents) | 26 |
| Indiana | $390 | 26 |
| Iowa | $790 (w/dependents) | 26 |
| Kansas | $637 | 26 |
| Kentucky | $720 | 26 |
| Louisiana | $275 | 26 |
| Maine | $623 (plus $25 per dependent) | 26 |
| Maryland | $430 | 26 |
| Massachusetts | $1105 (plus $25 per dependent child) | 30 |
| Michigan | $530 (rises to $614 Jan 2027) | 26 |
| Minnesota | $914 | 26 |
| Mississippi | $235 | 26 |
| Missouri | $320 | 20 |
| Montana | $698 | 28 |
| Nebraska | $582 | 26 |
| Nevada | $631 | 26 |
| New Hampshire | $427 | 26 |
| New Jersey | $905 | 26 |
| New Mexico | $624 | 26 |
| New York | $869 | 26 |
| North Carolina | $350 | 12 to 20 |
| North Dakota | $815 | 26 |
| Ohio | $647 | 26 |
| Oklahoma | $649 | 26 |
| Oregon | $902 | 26 |
| Pennsylvania | $613 (incl. $8 dependent allowance) | 26 |
| Puerto Rico | $240 | 26 |
| Rhode Island | $931 (w/dependents) | 26 |
| South Carolina | $350 | 20 |
| South Dakota | $553 | 26 |
| Tennessee | $275 | 26 |
| Texas | $605 | 26 |
| Utah | $801 | 26 |
| Vermont | $757 | 26 |
| Virginia | $478 (claims from 7/5/26) | 26 |
| Washington | $1208 (claims filed 7/5/26 or later) | 26 |
| West Virginia | $662 | 26 |
| Wisconsin | $370 | 26 |
| Wyoming | $651 | 26 |
Maximums include dependent allowances where the state pays them. Ranges such as 14 to 20 weeks mean the state adjusts duration based on its current unemployment rate. Figures vary by state and change periodically; confirm with your state workforce agency before making financial decisions.
Learn more about unemployment benefits
- How Unemployment Benefits Are Calculated: Base Periods Explained
- Partial Unemployment Benefits: Working Part-Time While Collecting
- Unemployment Overpayment: What Happens and How to Request a Waiver
- Can You Collect Unemployment If You Were Fired?
- Unemployment Benefit Extensions: How Tiers and Triggers Work