VAT Calculator
Add VAT to a net price or remove VAT from a gross price, in seconds.
Calculate VAT
Your VAT breakdown
VAT on your amount at each UK rate
Your amount treated as a net price, at the 0%, 5% and 20% rates. Your selected rate is highlighted.
Common UK VAT rates
| UK VAT rate | Rate | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 20% | Most goods and services |
| Reduced rate | 5% | Home energy, child car seats |
| Zero rate | 0% | Most food, books, newspapers, children’s clothing |
How VAT works
This free VAT calculator adds VAT to a net price or removes VAT from a gross price, and shows the net amount, the VAT amount and the gross amount. It is made for small business owners, freelancers and shoppers in the UK and the EU. There is no sign-up, and every calculation runs in your browser, so your figures never leave your computer.
What is VAT?
VAT, or Value Added Tax, is a tax added to the price of most goods and services sold in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Businesses collect it from customers and pass it to the tax authority, so the final price you pay includes VAT. The UK standard rate has been 20 percent since January 2011, according to HMRC.
How do I add VAT to a price?
Multiply the net price by the VAT rate to find the VAT amount, then add that amount to the net price to get the gross price. For example, a net price of 100 pounds at 20 percent gives 20 pounds of VAT and a gross price of 120 pounds. This calculator does the sum for any amount and any rate.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the gross price by one plus the VAT rate as a decimal to find the net price, then subtract the net price from the gross price to find the VAT. For example, a gross price of 120 pounds at 20 percent gives a net price of 100 pounds and 20 pounds of VAT. Use the Remove VAT option above.
What are the UK VAT rates?
The United Kingdom has three VAT rates: the standard rate of 20 percent, which applies to most goods and services; the reduced rate of 5 percent, which covers items such as home energy and car seats; and the zero rate of 0 percent, which applies to food, books, newspapers and children’s clothing. Some goods and services are exempt from VAT.
A UK business must register for VAT when its taxable turnover passes 90,000 pounds in a 12 month period, a threshold set in April 2024, according to HMRC. Registered businesses charge VAT on their sales and can reclaim VAT on many of their purchases, which is why getting the net and gross figures right matters for cash flow.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between net and gross?
The net price is the price before VAT, and the gross price is the price after VAT is added. A net price of 100 pounds at 20 percent VAT has a gross price of 120 pounds. Shops usually show gross prices, while business to business quotes often show net prices.
How do I work out VAT from a gross price?
Divide the gross price by 1.2 for 20 percent VAT to get the net price, then subtract the net price from the gross price to find the VAT. For a gross price of 120 pounds, that gives a net price of 100 pounds and 20 pounds of VAT. Or choose Remove VAT above.
What is the UK standard VAT rate?
The UK standard VAT rate is 20 percent, and it has been at that level since January 2011, according to HMRC. It applies to most goods and services sold in the United Kingdom, unless a reduced rate, a zero rate or an exemption applies.
When do I use the 5 percent reduced rate?
The 5 percent reduced rate applies to a small list of goods and services, including home energy, child car seats and some renovation work on homes. If you are not sure whether your sale qualifies, check the current HMRC guidance before you charge it.
What is zero rated VAT?
Zero rated means VAT is charged at 0 percent, so the customer pays no VAT, but the seller can still reclaim VAT on related costs. Most food, books, newspapers and children’s clothing are zero rated in the UK. Zero rated is not the same as exempt.
Can I use this calculator for EU VAT?
Yes, for the arithmetic. Choose the Custom rate option and enter the rate for the country you need, since EU member states set their own standard rates, usually between 17 and 27 percent. The direction and the formula are the same in every country.
Does this calculator store my data?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, stored or shared.
More tools you may need
Splitting a bill that includes VAT? Try the Bill Splitter. Eating out? Our Tip Calculator works out the tip on the total. Driving to a supplier? Check the Fuel Cost Calculator, and to see what a meeting costs your team, try the Meeting Cost Calculator.
