VAT calculator
Add VAT to a price, or find out how much VAT is inside one, at any rate.
- Price without VAT
- 100.00
- VAT at 20%
- 20.00
- Price with VAT
- 120.00
For guidance only, not financial advice. Real offers depend on fees, taxes and terms. Check the exact figures with your bank, lender or accountant before you decide.
Formulas
How to calculate VAT
With the VAT rate written as a decimal (20% = 0.20):
- Adding VAT:
gross = net × (1 + rate), andVAT = net × rate. - Removing VAT:
net = gross ÷ (1 + rate), andVAT = gross − net.
Example at 25%: a net price of 400 plus VAT is 400 × 1.25 = 500, of which 100 is VAT. Going the other way, 500 including VAT is 500 ÷ 1.25 = 400 before VAT.
A shortcut for the VAT share of a gross price
The VAT inside a price that includes it is a fixed fraction of that price:
| VAT rate | VAT share of the gross price |
|---|---|
| 10% | 1/11 ≈ 9.09% |
| 20% | 1/6 ≈ 16.67% |
| 21% | ≈ 17.36% |
| 25% | 1/5 = 20% |
That is why, in countries with 25% VAT, "20% of the shop price is tax" is exactly right: the rate and the share are different numbers.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I add VAT to a price?
Multiply the price without VAT by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 20%, multiply by 1.20: a net price of 100 becomes 120, of which 20 is VAT.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the price including VAT by 1 plus the rate. At 20%, divide by 1.20: 120 becomes 100. Don't subtract 20% of the gross price, which would give 96 and understate the net price.
Why can't I just take 20% off to remove VAT?
Because VAT is calculated on the net price, not the gross price. The VAT inside a price that includes 20% VAT is 1/6 of the gross price (about 16.67%), not 20%.
Are the VAT rates up to date?
The list shows standard rates as of 2026. Rates change from time to time and many countries have reduced rates for food, books, transport and more, so check your tax authority's website for the rate that applies to you. You can always enter a custom rate.
Is VAT the same as sales tax?
Not quite. VAT (or GST) is charged at every step of the supply chain, with businesses reclaiming the VAT they pay, and is usually included in shop prices. US sales tax is charged only at the final sale and usually added at the checkout.