VAT Calculator
Add or remove VAT from a price at any rate.
Value-added tax is baked into most displayed prices in VAT countries, which makes it easy to lose track of exactly how much tax you're paying — or need to charge, if you're invoicing a business. This calculator works both directions.
Adding vs. removing VAT
If you have a net (pre-VAT) price and need to know what to charge a customer, use "add VAT." If you have a gross (VAT-inclusive) price — like a retail shelf price — and need to know how much of that was tax, use "remove VAT." The math isn't just multiplying by the rate in reverse: removing 20% VAT from a gross price means dividing by 1.20, not multiplying by 0.80.
Typical VAT rates
Standard VAT rates commonly range from 17% to 27% across the EU and UK, though many countries apply reduced rates (often 0-10%) to categories like food, books, or children's clothing. Always confirm the applicable rate for your specific product category and country.
Frequently asked questions
Why is 100 + 20% VAT not the same as reversing 120 minus 20% VAT?
Adding 20% to 100 gives 120. But removing 20% VAT from 120 by simply subtracting 20% (24) gives 96, not 100 — because the 20% needs to be calculated on the net amount, not the gross. Dividing 120 by 1.20 correctly gives back 100.
Is VAT the same as sales tax?
They're both consumption taxes but work differently — VAT is collected at each stage of production and is typically included in the displayed price, while US sales tax is added once at the final checkout. If you're in the US, use our Sales Tax Calculator instead.