VAT Calculator UK
This VAT calculator UK tool calculates UK VAT instantly and for free. Add or remove VAT using the current UK VAT rates and get accurate results in British pounds, right in your browser.
UK VAT Calculator
Use this VAT calculator UK businesses and shoppers trust to work out VAT in seconds.
Standard UK VAT rate: 20%
Quick UK VAT Examples
See this VAT calculator UK tool in action at the standard 20% rate. Tap any card to load it into the calculator.
UK VAT Rates Explained
Standard Rate
This is the default VAT rate applied to most goods and services sold in the UK.
Reduced Rate
A lower rate that applies to certain eligible goods and services, as set out by HMRC.
Zero Rate
Some taxable supplies are charged at 0%. Zero-rated is not the same as VAT-exempt: zero-rated supplies remain within the VAT system at a nil rate, while exempt supplies sit outside it entirely and have different rules.
We haven't listed specific products here because eligibility for the reduced or zero rate depends on HMRC rules and the exact nature of the supply. Always confirm special VAT treatment with HMRC or a qualified tax professional.
How the UK VAT Calculator Works
This VAT calculator UK tool takes an amount you enter and applies the VAT rate you choose — 20%, 5% or 0% — to either add VAT on top of a net figure or strip VAT out of a gross figure. As a British VAT calculator built for everyday use, it runs entirely in your browser, so results update the moment you type, with no page reloads and no data sent anywhere.
How to Calculate VAT
How to Add VAT
To add VAT to a VAT-exclusive amount, multiply the amount by the VAT rate to find the VAT, then add that to the original figure. At the standard rate, £1,000 × 20% gives £200 of VAT, so the total including VAT is £1,200. The same result comes from multiplying the net amount by 1.20 directly.
How to Remove VAT
Removing VAT from a VAT-inclusive price is not as simple as taking 20% off the top — that undercounts the net amount, because the 20% was originally calculated on a smaller base. Instead, divide the gross amount by 1 plus the VAT rate: £1,200 ÷ 1.20 = £1,000 net, meaning £200 was VAT.
How to Calculate VAT From a Gross Amount
A gross amount already includes VAT. To find the net amount, divide the gross figure by 1.20 at the standard rate (or 1.05 at the reduced rate). For example, a gross amount of £1,200 divided by 1.20 gives a net amount of £1,000, with £200 as the VAT portion. Simply taking 20% of the gross figure is a common mistake and gives the wrong answer.
VAT Inclusive vs VAT Exclusive
A VAT-exclusive price is the amount before VAT is added — you'll see this on B2B invoices and trade pricing. A VAT-inclusive price already has VAT built in, which is how most consumer prices in the UK are displayed. Knowing which figure you're starting from is the key to using either the add-VAT or remove-VAT side of this calculator correctly.
How Is VAT Calculated?
VAT is calculated as a percentage of the value of a taxable supply. The rate applied depends on what's being sold: most goods and services fall under the 20% standard rate, some fall under the 5% reduced rate, and others are zero-rated at 0%. The calculation itself is simple multiplication or division once you know the correct rate and starting amount.
Who Can Use an Online VAT Calculator?
Sole traders, small business owners, freelancers, accountants, students and anyone pricing goods or checking an invoice can use this VAT calculator UK tool to quickly sanity-check figures, without reaching for a spreadsheet or working the formula out by hand.
Common UK VAT Calculation Examples
A £250 service at the standard rate carries £50 of VAT, for a total of £300. A £1,000 invoice at the reduced 5% rate carries £50 of VAT, for a total of £1,050. Working backwards, a £600 VAT-inclusive receipt at the standard rate breaks down to £500 net and £100 VAT.
Important VAT Considerations
VAT rules vary by product, service and business circumstance, and some supplies have special treatment that a general calculator can't account for. This tool is for guidance and quick calculations only — it isn't a substitute for professional advice, and figures should be checked against your own records for anything you file with HMRC.
VAT rules can vary depending on the goods or services involved. For current official information, check GOV.UK and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): gov.uk/vat-business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VAT rate in the UK?
The standard UK VAT rate is 20%. A reduced 5% rate and a 0% zero rate also apply, depending on the supply.
How do you calculate VAT?
Multiply the net amount by the VAT rate to get the VAT amount, then add that to the net amount for the total.
How do I calculate 20% VAT?
Multiply by 0.20 for the VAT amount, or by 1.20 for the VAT-inclusive total.
How do I add VAT to a price?
Enter the net amount in the Add VAT tab above and the calculator applies your chosen rate instantly.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the gross amount by 1 plus the VAT rate (1.20 at standard rate) to find the net amount and VAT portion.
How do you calculate VAT from a gross amount?
Divide the gross figure by 1.20 (standard rate) or 1.05 (reduced rate) to get the net amount; the difference is the VAT.
What's the difference between VAT-inclusive and VAT-exclusive?
VAT-exclusive prices have VAT added on top; VAT-inclusive prices already include it in the displayed total.
What is the UK reduced VAT rate?
5%, applied to certain eligible goods and services as defined by HMRC.
What is zero-rated VAT?
Zero-rated supplies stay within the VAT system but are taxed at 0%, unlike VAT-exempt supplies which sit outside the system.
Is this calculator free?
Yes — free to use, with no sign-up, and it works offline once loaded.