Free UK VAT Calculator
Standard & Zero Rates

Instantly calculate how much VAT you owe or can reclaim. Works for standard rate (20%), reduced rate (5%), and zero-rated goods. Trusted by 10,000+ UK businesses and freelancers.

HMRC compliant
Free to use
No sign-up needed

Calculate VAT Now

Please enter the below values to calculate the VAT due to HMRC

VAT Invoice type

Sales Summary

Standard Rated Turnover- 20%

Reduced Rated Turnover- 5%

Zero Rated Turnover - 0%

VAT Exempt Turnover

Total

Purchases summary

Standard Rated Expenses - 20%

Reduced Rated Expenses - 5%

Zero Rated Turnover - 0%

VAT Exempt Expenses

Total

VAT due

VAT Amount Due

The VAT calculator is for illustrative purposes only, and we do not accept liability for its results. For accurate tax liability calculations, please seek professional advice. Our team is here to help - contact us for a free consultation on using our online VAT calculator effectively.

How to work out VAT

Working out VAT manually is straightforward once you know which formula to use. There are two scenarios: adding VAT to a net price (exclusive), or extracting VAT from a price that already includes it (inclusive).

Adding VAT (Exclusive)

VAT = Net price × 0.20 Total = Net + VAT

Use when your price does not yet include VAT.

Removing VAT (inclusive)

VAT = Gross ÷ 6 Net = Gross − VAT

Use when a price already includes 20% VAT and you need to separate it out.

Reduced Rate (5%)

VAT = Net price × 0.05 Total = Net + VAT

Applies to items like children's car seats and some energy-saving materials.

Example 1 - adding 20% VAT to a service invoice

Standard rate

A freelance web designer charges a client £1,000 for a project. The invoice is VAT-exclusive, so 20% VAT needs to be added on top.

Net price (ex-VAT) £1,000.00

VAT rate 20%

Calculation £1,000 × 0.20

VAT to charge £200.00

Total invoice amount £1,200.00

Example 2 - extracting VAT from a VAT-inclusive price

Reverse calculation

A shop receipt shows £480 for goods including 20% VAT. You need to find the original net price and the VAT element for your records.

Gross price (inc-VAT) £480.00

VAT rate 20%

Calculation £480 ÷ 6

VAT amount within the price £80.00

Net price (ex-VAT) £400.00

How to use the UK VAT Calculator

Select your VAT
invoice type

Choose whether your figures are VAT-exclusive (net - VAT is added on top) or VAT-inclusive (gross - VAT is already included in the price).

Enter your
sales summary

Input your total sales figures for the VAT period, split by rate. You only need to fill in the boxes that apply to your business - leave the rest as zero.

Check your total
sales figure

The calculator automatically adds up your sales entries and displays a total. Check this matches the total turnover on your records before moving on.

Enter your
purchases summary

Now input your business expenses for the same period, again split by VAT rate. These are the costs on which you can reclaim input VAT from HMRC.

Check your total
purchases figure

As with sales, the calculator totals your purchases automatically. Verify this against your expense records to ensure nothing has been missed before calculating.

Click "Calculate"
to see VAT due

Hit the Calculate button and the tool will instantly display the net VAT due to HMRC - your output tax (VAT on sales) minus your input tax (VAT on purchases).

UK VAT Rates

HMRC sets five VAT classifications for goods and services sold in the UK. The rate that applies depends on what you're selling - not how you sell it.

VAT Rate	Rate (%)	What It Applies To
Standard Rate	20%	Most goods and services sold in the UK
Reduced Rate	5%	Selected essential or socially beneficial goods and services
Zero-Rated	0%	VAT is charged at 0%, but sales are still reported on VAT returns
Exempt	N/A	No VAT is charged, and VAT on related costs cannot be reclaimed
Outside Scope	N/A	Transactions not covered by the UK VAT system

Let us handle your VAT returns

Preparing and filing VAT returns takes time, and a single mistake can trigger an HMRC investigation. Our qualified accountants manage your VAT compliance end-to-end - from bookkeeping and return preparation to MTD-compliant submission and correspondence with HMRC.

Book a free consultation See VAT return services

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