Is 'sales tax' the same as VAT?

The maths of adding or removing a percentage is identical. The tax mechanics differ: VAT is charged and reclaimed at every stage of the supply chain, while US-style sales tax is charged only at the point of sale.

Which rate should I use for the UK?

For most business-to-consumer sales it's 20%. Check HMRC's guidance if you sell food, energy, or specific reduced/zero-rated categories.

Can I use this for reverse-charge invoices?

Yes — enter the net amount and the local rate. The gross figure it produces matches what the customer would pay if VAT applied.

Is the VAT calculator free?

Yes — free to use, with no signup, no limits and no personal details required. The site is supported by advertising rather than subscriptions.

Is my data saved or sent anywhere?

No. Every calculation runs in your browser, so the numbers you type are never transmitted to us or stored on a server. Closing the tab discards them.

Can I share or save my results?

Yes. Your inputs are stored in the page URL, so you can copy the link from the address bar (or use the share button) to bookmark a scenario or send it to someone else.

VAT & Sales Tax Calculator

Add VAT to a net amount or remove VAT from a gross amount. Works for any rate.

Your details

Net amount

Rate preset

Rate

Mode

Gross (with VAT)

£120.00

VAT amount

£20.00

Net

£100.00

How this is calculated

To add VAT to a net price: gross = net × (1 + rate). To remove VAT from a gross price: net = gross ÷ (1 + rate). VAT itself is always the difference between gross and net.

The UK standard rate is 20%. A reduced 5% rate applies to some items (like children's car seats and home energy), and a 0% rate applies to most food, books, and children's clothing. Most EU countries sit between 19% and 25%.

Who this calculator is for

This is aimed at anyone who needs a quick, reliable answer without opening a spreadsheet — at the till, in a meeting, or while checking someone else's arithmetic. It is built to be fast on a phone, because that is usually where these questions come up.

Assumptions and accuracy

The arithmetic is exact, but results are rounded for display, so a figure may differ by a penny from a till receipt that rounds at a different step. Where currency is involved, the calculator does not apply any regional rounding rules.

Frequently asked questions

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