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VAT calculator

Enter an amount and choose whether it includes or excludes VAT. You immediately see the net amount, the VAT and the total, exact to the cent. It works for any currency.

The amount is
VAT rate

For example 1250 or 1,250.50.

Fill in the fields; the answer appears here straight away.

How it works

  1. Enter the values

    Type the numbers or the formula. Decimals may use a point or a comma. No idea? Click Fill in an example.

  2. Instant answer

    The answer appears as you type, with the most important intermediate values.

  3. See the working

    Under "How it's worked out" you see the steps, handy for checking your own calculation.

Common VAT rates

  • 20% is the standard rate in the United Kingdom (with 5% and 0% reduced rates).
  • 21% is the standard rate in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.
  • 19% is the standard rate in Germany.

Choose Other rate for any other percentage, such as 5.5% or 25%.

How VAT is calculated

  • Adding VAT: multiply the net amount by 1 + the rate. At 20%, 100 becomes 120, of which 20 is VAT.
  • Removing VAT: divide the gross amount by 1 + the rate (don't just take 20% off!). 120 ÷ 1.20 = 100. Taking 20% of 120 gives 96, which is too little.

Rounding to the cent

The calculator works with exact decimals and only rounds to whole cents at the end, with the usual rule that half a cent or more rounds up. That gives the same amounts as a proper invoice.

Worked examples

  • Net to gross at 20%: a freelancer invoices 1,250 excluding VAT. The VAT is 250 and the customer pays 1,500.
  • Gross to net at 21%: a shelf price of 60.50 includes 21% VAT. The net price is 60.50 ÷ 1.21 = 50.00 and the VAT is 10.50.
  • A reduced rate: 5% on 200 excluding VAT is 10 VAT, so 210 in total. Choose Other rate and enter 5.

Why totals can differ by a cent

An invoice can round VAT per line or once on the total. Take three lines of 3.30 at 21%: each line has 0.693 VAT, which rounds to 0.69, so the lines add up to 2.07. On the total of 9.90, the VAT is 2.079, which rounds to 2.08. If your invoice rounds per line, enter each line separately and add the results. More on half-cent decisions in the rounding calculator.

What VAT is not

VAT is charged at every step in a supply chain, and businesses normally reclaim the VAT they pay on purchases. US sales tax works differently, as it is charged only at the final sale. The arithmetic of adding or removing it is the same, though: choose Other rate and enter the local percentage. For other percentages see the percentage calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How do I take VAT out of a price?

Divide the price including VAT by 1 plus the rate. At 20%, 120 ÷ 1.20 = 100, so the VAT is 20. Choose *Including VAT* above and the calculator does it for you.

Which VAT rate should I choose?

That depends on the product and the country. The standard rates are 20% in the UK, 21% in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, and 19% in Germany. For reduced rates, check your tax authority and use *Other rate*.

Does it work for pounds, euros and dollars?

Yes. The calculator only works with the number, so any currency does. It always shows two decimals.

Why does my invoice differ by one cent?

Invoices sometimes round VAT per line and sometimes once on the total, and the two can differ by a cent. This calculator rounds once, on the amount you enter.