UK VAT Calculator
Add 20% VAT to a net price, or work backwards from a VAT-inclusive total, for the United Kingdom. Free and instant.
Presets show each country’s standard rate. Most countries also have reduced or zero rates for specific goods (food, books, medicine); enter those with the custom rate box. Rates change by law, so confirm the current rate for your category before invoicing.
How VAT works in the United Kingdom
The standard rate is 20%. Adding VAT means multiplying the net price by 1.2. Removing it is the step people get wrong: you divide the gross by 1.2, you do not subtract 20%. Taking 20% off a VAT-inclusive total leaves you short, because the 20% was charged on the smaller net figure, not on the total.
Adding 20% VAT
| Net amount | VAT at 20% | Gross amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 20 | 120 |
| 250 | 50 | 300 |
| 500 | 100 | 600 |
| 1,000 | 200 | 1,200 |
| 2,500 | 500 | 3,000 |
| 5,000 | 1,000 | 6,000 |
| 10,000 | 2,000 | 12,000 |
Removing 20% VAT from a gross amount
Use this direction when you have a receipt or an inclusive price and need the net figure for your books:
| Gross amount | Net amount | VAT included |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 83.33 | 16.67 |
| 250 | 208.33 | 41.67 |
| 500 | 416.67 | 83.33 |
| 1,000 | 833.33 | 166.67 |
| 2,500 | 2,083.33 | 416.67 |
| 5,000 | 4,166.67 | 833.33 |
| 10,000 | 8,333.33 | 1,666.67 |
Reduced and zero rates
Not everything is charged at 20%. In the United Kingdom the reduced and zero rates cover 5% on domestic energy, children’s car seats and some home improvements, and 0% on most food, books and children’s clothes. The calculator above accepts any rate, so switch to a custom rate when you are invoicing something outside the standard band.
Registering and charging
Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover passes £90,000 in a rolling 12 months. Until you are registered you must not charge VAT, and once you are, your invoices need your registration number, the rate applied and the VAT amount shown separately. Keep the arithmetic on the invoice consistent with your filings: rounding each line differently is a common source of small mismatches.
VAT in other countries
Ireland VAT Germany VAT France VAT Italy VAT Spain VAT Netherlands VAT All Countries
Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate in the United Kingdom?
The standard rate is 20%. Reduced or zero rates apply to 5% on domestic energy, children’s car seats and some home improvements, and 0% on most food, books and children’s clothes.
How do I add 20% VAT to a price?
Multiply the net price by 1.2. For example 1,000 net becomes 1,200 gross, of which 200 is VAT.
How do I remove 20% VAT from a total?
Divide the gross amount by 1.2. A 1,000 inclusive total is 833.33 net plus 166.67 of VAT. Subtracting 20% from the total gives the wrong answer.
Is this UK VAT calculator free?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser, there is no sign-up, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.