VAT Calculator
Add or remove VAT from any price instantly
Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, or medical advice.
This free VAT calculator works in two modes: "Add VAT" calculates the gross (incl. VAT) price from a net amount, and "Extract VAT" separates the VAT portion from a gross price. Select your country to automatically load the standard VAT rate, or enter a custom rate for reduced VAT rates or other tax types. Results show the net amount, VAT amount, and gross total side by side.
VAT rates vary significantly across countries — from 17% in Luxembourg to 27% in Hungary. Reduced rates apply to specific goods and services (food, medicine, books) in most countries. Use the custom rate field to calculate VAT at any rate, including zero-rated and exempt transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to add VAT to a net price?
Switch to "Add VAT" mode, enter the net (excl. VAT) amount and select your country. The calculator instantly shows the VAT amount and the total gross price. Formula: Gross = Net × (1 + VAT rate / 100). Example: £100 net at 20% VAT = £120 gross.
How to extract VAT from a gross price?
Switch to "Extract VAT" mode and enter the gross (incl. VAT) amount. The calculator shows the net price and the exact VAT portion. Formula: Net = Gross ÷ (1 + VAT rate / 100). Example: £120 gross at 20% VAT → £100 net + £20 VAT.
What is the VAT rate in the UK?
The standard UK VAT rate is 20%. The reduced rate is 5% (domestic energy, children's car seats, some health products). Zero-rated (0%) applies to most food, children's clothing, books and newspapers. Businesses with turnover above £90,000/year must register for VAT.
What are EU VAT rates by country?
EU standard VAT rates (2024): France 20%, Germany 19%, Belgium 21%, Netherlands 21%, Spain 21%, Italy 22%, Poland 23%, Sweden 25%, Denmark 25%, Hungary 27%, Luxembourg 17%, Lithuania/Latvia 21%, Estonia 22%. Switzerland (non-EU) uses 8.1% standard.
What is the difference between net and gross (excl. vs incl. VAT)?
Net price (excl. VAT, HT in French) is the price before tax. Gross price (incl. VAT, TTC) is the final price the customer pays. The difference is the VAT amount. On invoices, both figures are typically shown: the net amount, the VAT amount, and the total gross.
What is VAT and who pays it?
VAT (Value Added Tax) is an indirect consumption tax added to the price of goods and services. The end consumer bears the VAT cost, while registered businesses collect it on behalf of the government and remit it minus any input VAT they paid on their purchases (the "VAT chain"). In most countries VAT applies to most goods and services, with exemptions for financial services, healthcare, and education.
What are reduced VAT rates and when do they apply?
Most countries have reduced VAT rates for essential goods. In France: 5.5% on food, 10% on restaurants and hotels, 2.1% on prescription medicines. In the UK: 0% on food and children's clothing, 5% on energy. In Germany: 7% on food, books and public transport. Use the custom rate field to apply any reduced rate.
Can I use a custom VAT rate?
Yes. The "Custom rate" field lets you enter any rate — useful for reduced rates, zero-rated transactions, or calculating tax in countries not in the preset list. The custom rate overrides the country preset while keeping all other fields intact.
How to calculate VAT percentage from a total?
To find the VAT rate applied when you only have net and gross amounts: VAT rate = (Gross ÷ Net − 1) × 100. Example: net £83.33, gross £100 → (100 ÷ 83.33 − 1) × 100 = 20%. Our calculator does this automatically in "Extract VAT" mode.
Is VAT the same as sales tax?
No. VAT is charged at every stage of production and distribution, with businesses reclaiming VAT paid on inputs. Sales tax (used in the US) is only charged at the final point of sale to the consumer. VAT invoices show the tax explicitly; sales tax is typically added at the checkout. Most countries outside the US and some developing economies use VAT.