How to Add or Remove VAT: A Simple Online Guide
To add VAT, multiply the net price by (1 + rate ÷ 100); to remove VAT, divide the gross price by the same figure rather than simply subtracting the percentage. Those two operations trip up more invoices and expense claims than almost any other everyday sum, because the reverse calculation is not intuitive. The VAT Calculator handles both directions for you and shows the net, VAT and gross figures together so nothing is left to guesswork.
Why VAT math catches people out
Value Added Tax is charged as a percentage of a sale price, but the hard part is working backwards. A supplier gives you a VAT-inclusive total on a receipt and you need the tax portion to reclaim it; a client asks for a price plus VAT and you need the gross. Freelancers building invoices, bookkeepers reconciling expenses, and shoppers curious about how much tax sits inside a price all hit the same wall. The classic mistake is subtracting the rate straight off the gross, which always overstates the net and understates the tax.
How to add or remove VAT in your browser
- Choose your direction: Add VAT when you start from a net (pre-tax) price, or Remove VAT when you start from a gross, tax-inclusive amount.
- Type the amount you have to hand.
- Pick a preset rate — 5%, 10%, 20% or 23% — or select Custom and enter the exact percentage your country uses.
- Read the net, VAT and gross values side by side, and copy whichever one you need for your invoice or expense sheet.
Add vs remove VAT: the numbers side by side
Seeing both directions at the UK standard 20% rate makes the difference obvious, and shows why subtracting 20% from a gross figure gives the wrong answer.
| Operation | Formula | Example (20%) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add VAT to net | net × 1.20 | £50 × 1.20 | £60 gross, £10 VAT |
| Remove VAT from gross | gross ÷ 1.20 | £120 ÷ 1.20 | £100 net, £20 VAT |
| Wrong way (subtract 20%) | gross − 20% | £120 − £24 | £96 — incorrect |
A handy shortcut for the 20% rate: the VAT inside any gross price is exactly one sixth of it, because tax is 20 parts in every 120. Divide a gross figure by six and you have the VAT element instantly.
Key features
- Both add-VAT and reverse (remove-VAT) modes in one place
- Presets for 5%, 10%, 20% and 23%, plus a custom field for any rate worldwide
- Net, VAT and gross always shown together — no re-entering figures
- Accurate reverse math for receipts and reclaimable expenses
- Runs entirely in your browser, so your figures are never uploaded
- Free, no registration, and works on mobile
Try the VAT Calculator now — it's free and runs entirely in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add VAT to a net price?
Multiply the net figure by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 20%, a £50 net price becomes £50 × 1.20 = £60, with £10 of that being VAT. Switch to Add VAT mode and all three numbers appear as you type.
How do I take VAT off a gross amount?
Divide the gross by 1 plus the rate, not by subtracting the percentage. A £120 gross at 20% contains £120 ÷ 1.2 = £100 net and £20 VAT. Subtracting 20% of £120 would wrongly leave £96.
What is the standard VAT rate in the UK?
The UK standard rate is 20%. A reduced 5% rate applies to items such as domestic energy, and a 0% rate covers most food and children's clothing. Use the 20% preset for standard goods or the custom field for reduced rates.
Is VAT the same as GST?
Broadly yes — they are the same style of consumption tax under different names. VAT is used across Europe and the UK, while GST is the term in India, Australia, Canada and elsewhere. Both are charged as a percentage of the sale price.
Can I use a rate other than the presets?
Absolutely. Select Custom and enter any percentage, whether that is Ireland's 23%, a local reduced rate, or a figure specific to your industry. The net, VAT and gross recalculate immediately.
Related free tools
- GST Calculator — the same tax math for GST regions
- Percentage Calculator — for any percentage sum
- Discount Calculator — work out sale prices and savings
- EMI Calculator — monthly loan repayments and interest
Built by ByteVancer
ByteTools is a free product of ByteVancer, a software and web development studio that builds web apps, SaaS platforms and custom software for businesses. If you need a bespoke calculator, an internal tool or a full product built, explore ByteVancer's services and get in touch about your next project.
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