VAT Calculator (UK)
Add VAT to a net price or remove VAT from a gross total at the 20% standard, 5% reduced or 0% zero rate. Free, no sign-up, runs entirely in your browser.
Figures rounded to 2 decimals (pence). Verify the correct VAT rate for your goods or services against current HMRC guidance.
How to add or remove VAT
To add VAT to a net price, multiply by (1 + rate/100): a £100 invoice at the 20% standard rate becomes £120 gross, with £20 of VAT. To remove VAT from a price that already includes it, divide by the same factor instead of multiplying: £120 ÷ 1.2 = £100 net. Dividing by 1.05 removes the 5% reduced rate, and a zero-rated item simply has no VAT to remove.
A common mistake is subtracting 20% of the gross figure, which understates the net amount. VAT is calculated on the net price, so the VAT portion of a 20% gross total is one-sixth, not one-fifth.
UK VAT rates
| Rate | Commonly applies to |
|---|---|
| 20% (standard) | Most goods and services |
| 5% (reduced) | Domestic fuel and power, children's car seats, some energy-saving home improvements |
| 0% (zero-rated) | Most food and drink, children's clothes and footwear, books, newspapers and magazines |
| Exempt | Insurance, postage stamps, certain education and financial services (no VAT charged, and exempt sales do not count towards the registration threshold) |
You must register for VAT once your VAT-taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period (threshold effective since 1 April 2024), or if you expect to exceed it in the next 30 days alone. Zero-rated sales count towards the threshold; exempt sales do not.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current VAT rate in the UK?
The standard VAT rate is 20% and applies to most goods and services. A reduced rate of 5% applies to a small set of items such as domestic fuel and power and children's car seats, and a zero rate (0%) applies to most food, children's clothing, books and newspapers. Some supplies, such as insurance and certain education, are exempt rather than zero-rated.
How do I remove VAT from a gross amount?
Divide the VAT-inclusive amount by 1.2 for the 20% rate (by 1.05 for the 5% rate). For example, £120 inclusive of 20% VAT: 120 ÷ 1.2 = £100 net, so the VAT component is £20. This is also called a reverse VAT calculation.
When do I need to register for VAT?
You must register with HMRC if your VAT-taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, or if you expect it to exceed £90,000 in the next 30 days alone. The £90,000 threshold has applied since 1 April 2024. Below the threshold, registration is voluntary.
What do the 5% reduced rate and 0% zero rate apply to?
The 5% reduced rate covers items such as domestic fuel and power and children's car seats. The 0% zero rate covers most food and drink, children's clothes and footwear, books, newspapers and magazines. Zero-rated sales still count towards the £90,000 registration threshold; exempt sales (such as insurance) do not.
Is this VAT calculator free?
Yes. It is completely free, requires no sign-up, and all calculations run locally in your browser. No data is uploaded anywhere.