VAT Calculator
Add VAT to a net price or remove it from a VAT-inclusive price at any rate. Get the gross price, the net price or the VAT amount, in any currency.
Last updated: October 2026
Price Including VAT
120
This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. It is not financial, tax or investment advice. Check the figures with a qualified professional before making decisions, and follow the rules that apply where you live.
Formula below · 3 sources (gov.uk, taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu, oecd.org) · Updated Oct 2026
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About this calculator
Value-added tax (VAT) is a consumption tax charged as a percentage of the price. Businesses add it to their sales and reclaim the VAT they paid on their own purchases, so the final consumer bears the tax. The arithmetic is the same in any currency.
Adding VAT to a net price
VAT = net × rate, and gross = net × (1 + rate). At 20%, £100 net becomes £120 gross, of which £20 is VAT.
Removing VAT from a gross price
Net = gross ÷ (1 + rate), and VAT = gross − net. At 20%, £120 gross is £120 ÷ 1.20 = £100 net plus £20 VAT. Do not simply take 20% off the gross price: £120 − 20% = £96, which understates the net price by £4. At 20% the VAT is always one sixth of the gross price.
Rates differ by country and by product. The UK standard rate is 20%, with a 5% reduced rate and a zero rate for items such as most food. EU standard rates run from 17% in Luxembourg to 27% in Hungary, and EU law sets a 15% minimum standard rate; Germany charges 19% and France 20%. Countries with a GST work the same way, for example 10% in Australia. Rates change from time to time, so check the tax authority's current table before you invoice.
This tool does the arithmetic only. Whether VAT applies, which rate, and who must charge it depend on your country and situation.
Multiply or divide by these factors to add or remove VAT
Scroll sideways to see all columns →
| VAT rate | Add VAT: multiply net by | Remove VAT: divide gross by | VAT share of a gross price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | 1.05 | 1.05 | 4.76% |
| 10% | 1.10 | 1.10 | 9.09% |
| 17% | 1.17 | 1.17 | 14.53% |
| 19% | 1.19 | 1.19 | 15.97% |
| 20% | 1.20 | 1.20 | 16.67% (one sixth) |
| 21% | 1.21 | 1.21 | 17.36% |
| 25% | 1.25 | 1.25 | 20.00% |
| 27% | 1.27 | 1.27 | 21.26% |
How to use
Choose whether you are adding VAT to a price that excludes it or removing VAT from a price that includes it, and which figure you want. Then enter the amount and the VAT rate. Example 1: a £500 net invoice at 20%. Add VAT, price including VAT: 500 × 1.20 = £600. Add VAT, VAT amount: £100. Example 2: a €119 receipt from Germany at 19%. Remove VAT, price excluding VAT: 119 ÷ 1.19 = €100. Remove VAT, VAT amount: €19. Example 3: a £240 price including 20% VAT. Remove VAT gives £200 net and £40 VAT.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the VAT-inclusive price by 1 plus the rate. At 20% divide by 1.20, at 19% by 1.19, at 5% by 1.05. The difference between the two prices is the VAT.
Why can't I just subtract 20%?
Because the 20% was calculated on the net price, not the gross price. Taking 20% off £240 gives £192, but the correct net price is £240 ÷ 1.20 = £200. Subtracting the percentage always overstates the VAT.
How is VAT different from US sales tax?
Sales tax is charged once, at the final sale to the consumer. VAT is charged at each stage of production and sale, and businesses reclaim the VAT on their purchases. For the shopper the effect is similar: a percentage added to the price. In most VAT countries, shelf prices already include VAT; in the US, sales tax is added at the register.
What VAT rate should I use?
Use the rate for the country where the sale is taxed and the type of product. Many countries have a standard rate plus one or more reduced rates for things like food, books, energy or public transport. The UK government and the European Commission publish current rate tables.
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Sources & references
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