VAT Calculator
Add VAT to a net price, or pull the VAT back out of a gross price — at any rate, instantly, in your browser.
Your files never leave your device.
How to use the VAT calculator
- Enter the amount you have — the net price if you're adding VAT, the gross price if you're removing it.
- Pick the mode: Add VAT (net → gross) or Remove VAT (gross → net).
- Set the rate (default 20%) — net, VAT and gross appear instantly.
The math behind it
Value Added Tax is charged on top of the net price, so the two directions use mirror-image formulas:
- Adding VAT: gross = net × (1 + rate ÷ 100). At 20%: a net price of 100 becomes a gross of 120.
- Removing VAT: net = gross ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100). At 20%: a gross price of 120 contains a net of 100 and 20 of VAT.
The classic mistake is removing VAT by subtracting the rate: "120 minus 20% = 96" is wrong, because the 20% was calculated on the net (100), not on the gross (120). The correct net is 120 ÷ 1.20 = 100. If you're reconciling invoices or setting prices, that 4% error compounds quickly — this calculator does it properly every time.
Common VAT rates
Rates differ by country and by product category (many countries apply reduced rates to food, books or energy). Standard rates at the time of writing include: United Kingdom 20%, France 20%, Germany 19%, Italy 22%, Spain 21%, Netherlands 21%, Ireland 23%, Poland 23%. Always confirm the current rate for your situation with your tax authority — they change.
When you need it
- Freelancers and small businesses — turning your net rates into client-facing gross prices, or splitting gross receipts into net + VAT for returns.
- Online sellers — pricing products correctly for VAT-inclusive markets.
- Expense reports — extracting the reclaimable VAT from receipts.
- Everyday checks — verifying an invoice's arithmetic before you pay it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove VAT from a gross price?
Divide the gross price by (1 + rate/100). For 20% VAT: net = gross ÷ 1.20. Select the Remove VAT mode, enter the gross price and the calculator does it for you. Note: you cannot simply subtract 20% — that is the most common VAT mistake.
Why can't I just subtract the VAT rate from the gross price?
Because VAT was added on top of the smaller net amount. Subtracting 20% from a gross of 120 gives 96, but the correct net is 100 (120 ÷ 1.20). The tax is 20% of the net, not of the gross.
What VAT rate should I use?
Your country's rate for the product or service — standard rates include 20% (UK, France), 19% (Germany), 21% (Spain, Netherlands) and 23% (Ireland), with reduced rates for specific goods. Enter any rate you need; always confirm current rates with your tax authority.
Does it work for GST or sales tax?
Yes. GST and most sales taxes use the same add-on-top mathematics — enter the applicable rate and use Add or Remove mode the same way.
Is my data private?
Yes. All calculations run in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, logged or stored.