VAT Calculator
Add it or strip it out: net, VAT and gross in one view, with one-tap rates from the UK to India GST — and the divide-don't-subtract rule built in.
Spotted a mistake or have an idea? — errors get fixed and credited publicly.
Last reviewed: July 20, 2026 · Formulas verified by automated tests before every release.
The mistake this tool exists to prevent
Removing VAT is division, not subtraction. A $120 invoice with 20% VAT contains $100 net — because the 20% was charged on the net, not on the gross. Subtracting 20% from $120 gives $96 and an angry accountant. The calculator always divides, so your books always balance.
Gross = Net × (1 + rate) · Net = Gross ÷ (1 + rate) · VAT = Gross − Net
Who reaches for this daily
- Freelancers and small businesses writing VAT-inclusive quotes or checking supplier invoices.
- Shoppers and travelers comparing EU sticker prices (tax inside) with US ones (tax at register).
- Bookkeepers extracting the VAT portion from gross receipts — the divide-not-subtract crowd's daily bread.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add VAT to a price?
Multiply the net amount by (1 + rate). $100 net at 20% VAT = $120 gross. The VAT itself is $20.
How do I remove VAT from a gross price?
Divide by (1 + rate) — don't subtract the percentage! $120 gross at 20% VAT: 120 ÷ 1.2 = $100 net. The classic mistake (120 − 20% = $96) removes too much.
What are common VAT/GST rates?
UK 20%, Germany 19%, Spain/Netherlands 21%, France 20%, India GST has slabs of 5/12/18/28% (18% most common for services), Australia 10%, GCC countries 5%. Reduced rates often apply to food, books and medicine.
Is VAT the same as sales tax?
Economically similar for the shopper, mechanically different: VAT is charged at every stage and usually shown inside the sticker price (Europe), while US sales tax is added at the register. That's why European prices "include tax" and American ones don't.