Editorial Policy & Methodology

How CalcHeadquarters builds, checks, and maintains its calculators — and the standards behind every result.

Who builds these calculators

CalcHeadquarters is produced by the CalcHeadquarters Editorial Team — a small group of builders and researchers who design each calculator, write the accompanying explanations, and review the math. Our mission is simple: give people accurate, free, no-sign-up tools for the everyday money, career, and health questions that need a number.

How we build for accuracy

Every calculator on this site follows the same process before it is published:

Published formulas only. We implement established, documented formulas — for example, Mifflin-St Jeor for calorie needs, the Boer formula for lean body mass, IRS rules for self-employment tax, and standard amortization math for loans.
Independent verification. Each calculator's logic is re-implemented and checked against known inputs and expected outputs before launch. We confirm the code runs cleanly and that default values return sensible results.
Plain-language explanations. Alongside the tool, we explain what the result means, how the formula works, and the assumptions behind it, so you can judge whether it fits your situation.
Current figures. For calculators that depend on year-specific values — tax brackets, contribution limits, the Social Security wage base — we use the figures for the stated year and update them as new ones are published.

Sourcing standards

Where a calculator relies on official rules or published research, we cite the primary source — government agencies such as the IRS and SSA, peer-reviewed studies, and recognized standards bodies — directly on the calculator page. We prefer original sources over secondary summaries.

Important: Our calculators are estimates for general information only. They are not financial, tax, legal, or medical advice. For decisions that matter, confirm the numbers with a qualified professional.

Corrections

We take accuracy seriously. If you spot an error in a calculation or an explanation, we want to know — reach us through our contact page. Verified issues are corrected promptly, and calculators are updated as rules and best practices change.

Advertising & independence

CalcHeadquarters is free to use and supported by advertising. Ads are clearly distinguishable from calculator results and editorial content, and advertisers have no influence over our formulas, explanations, or recommendations. The math is the math.