VAT Calculator: Add or Remove VAT
Enter an amount, pick the direction and the rate: the net price, the VAT and the gross price appear instantly, along with the formula used. The calculation runs in your browser.
- Add and remove VAT
- UK rates in 1 click
- Formula shown
- Free
100% private — Everything is processed directly in your browser: your files, voice, and image are never sent to Chatzam's servers.
How to calculate VAT?
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Enter the amount
Type your price, then say whether it excludes VAT (net → gross) or already includes it (gross → net).
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Choose the rate
Click 20%, 5% or 0%, or type any other rate in the free field, for example 23% for Ireland or 19% for Germany.
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Copy the result
The net amount, the VAT and the gross amount appear instantly with the formula. Copy them in one click for your quote or invoice.
Accurate VAT calculations, both ways
Net to gross
The gross price and the VAT amount from a price excluding VAT: £100 net at 20% is £120 including VAT.
Gross to net
Find the net price and the VAT included in a gross price, without the classic “minus 20%” mistake.
Any rate
The UK rates in one click, and a free field for any other rate: 23% in Ireland, 19% in Germany, 10% GST in Australia, your local sales tax…
Formula and copy
The formula applied is shown under the result, and a button copies the amounts so you can paste them anywhere.
The formulas to add and remove VAT
To go from a net price (excluding VAT) to a gross price (including VAT), multiply by (1 + rate): gross = net × (1 + rate). With 20% VAT, £100 net becomes 100 × 1.20 = £120 gross, of which £20 is VAT. To go the other way, divide: net = gross / (1 + rate). A price of £120 including VAT corresponds to 120 / 1.20 = £100 net. The most common mistake is to take 20% off the gross price: 120 − 20% = £96, which is wrong, because VAT is calculated on the net price. To find the VAT contained in a gross price, divide it by 6 at 20% (120 / 6 = £20), and by 21 at 5%.
UK VAT rates: 20%, 5% and 0%
The standard rate of 20% applies to most goods and services, including restaurant meals, hot takeaway food, alcohol and most electronics. The reduced rate of 5% covers a short list of items such as domestic gas and electricity and children's car seats. The zero rate of 0% applies notably to most everyday food, children's clothing and shoes, books and newspapers: VAT still exists on these items, but at 0%. Some goods and services are exempt from VAT altogether, such as most financial services, insurance and many health and education services. If you're not sure which rate applies to your product or business, check the official guidance from HMRC before issuing your invoice.
VAT in other countries, US sales tax and rounding
Outside the UK, type the rate in the “other rate” field: 23% standard rate in Ireland, 19% in Germany, 20% in France, 21% in Spain, 10% GST in Australia, 15% GST in New Zealand, 5% GST in Canada (plus provincial tax in some provinces). The United States has no VAT, but state and local sales tax is added to the price the same way: an item at $80 with 8% sales tax costs 80 × 1.08 = $86.40. Amounts are rounded to the penny or cent: £45 including 5% VAT gives £42.86 net and £2.14 of VAT. If your business isn't VAT-registered, you don't charge VAT on your invoices. To apply a discount or an increase to a price before or after VAT, use our “Percentage Calculator”.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate 20% VAT?
Multiply the net price by 0.20 to get the VAT, or by 1.20 to get the gross price directly. For £250 net: £50 of VAT and £300 including VAT.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the gross price by (1 + rate): at 20%, divide by 1.20. So £60 including VAT is £50 net. Don't take 20% off the gross price: you'd get £48, which is wrong.
How do I work out the VAT included in a gross price?
Calculate gross − gross / (1 + rate). At 20%, simply divide the gross price by 6: £120 including VAT contains £20 of VAT. At 5%, divide by 21.
Is food zero-rated for VAT in the UK?
Most everyday food bought in shops is zero-rated (0%). But restaurant meals, hot takeaway food, and items like confectionery, crisps, soft drinks and alcohol are charged at the standard 20% rate.
Can I use this calculator for US sales tax?
Yes. Sales tax is added to the pre-tax price with the same formula. Type your combined state and local rate in the “other rate” field, for example 7.25% or 8.875%, and choose net → gross to get the total you'll pay.