How to use this VAT calculator
Choose Add VAT if you have a price before tax (a net price) and want to know the final price including VAT — for example, when quoting a customer. Choose Remove VAT if you have a price that already includes VAT (a gross price) and need to work backwards to the net amount — for example, when claiming back VAT on a receipt.
Enter the amount and the VAT rate, and the calculator instantly shows all three figures: the net price, the VAT amount, and the gross price. The quick buttons cover the most common rates (20%, 10%, 5%), and you can type any custom rate, so it works for VAT, GST, and sales tax anywhere in the world.
The formulas this calculator uses
Adding VAT to a net price:
VAT = Net × (Rate ÷ 100)
Gross = Net × (1 + Rate ÷ 100)
Example: a £250 invoice at the UK standard rate of 20% — VAT is £250 × 0.20 = £50, so the total is £250 × 1.20 = £300.
Removing VAT from a gross price (also called a reverse VAT calculation):
Net = Gross ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100)
VAT = Gross − Net
Example: a receipt shows £300 including 20% VAT — the net is £300 ÷ 1.20 = £250, and the VAT portion is £50. This is the calculation to use when reclaiming VAT on expenses.
Common VAT rates around the world
VAT rates vary by country and by type of goods. These are the standard rates in some of the places this calculator is used most:
| Country | Standard rate | Reduced rates |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 20% | 5%, 0% |
| Ireland | 23% | 13.5%, 9%, 0% |
| Germany | 19% | 7% |
| France | 20% | 10%, 5.5%, 2.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 5% | 0% |
| Australia (GST) | 10% | 0% |
| New Zealand (GST) | 15% | 0% |
Rates change occasionally and many countries apply reduced rates to specific categories, so always confirm the current rate with your tax authority before filing.
Net, gross, and the mistake to avoid
The net price is what a product or service costs before tax. The gross price is what the customer actually pays, with VAT included. The single most common mistake in VAT arithmetic is trying to remove VAT by subtracting the percentage: taking 20% off a £120 gross price gives £96, which is wrong. The VAT was charged on the net £100, not on the £120, so you must divide by 1.20 to reverse it. If you only remember one thing from this page, make it that.