VAT Calculator – Add or Remove VAT (UK 20%, EU, Canada)

How to use the VAT calculator

Pick a country (or a Canadian province). Its standard rate is selected, and any reduced rates appear as buttons.
Choose Add VAT if your amount is net (before tax), or Remove VAT if your amount already includes VAT.
Enter the amount. The calculator shows the net amount, the VAT and the gross total.

Need a rate that is not listed? Choose Custom rate at the bottom of the country list.

The VAT formulas

Gross = Net × (1 + rate ÷ 100)

Net = Gross ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100)

VAT = Gross − Net

Worked examples

Adding 20% UK VAT to £250

£250 × 1.20 = £300 gross. The VAT is £50.

Removing 19% German VAT from €119

€119 ÷ 1.19 = €100 net. The VAT is €19.

Why you cannot just subtract 20%

A common mistake is to take 20% off a gross price. £120 − 20% = £96, but the correct net price is £120 ÷ 1.20 = £100. VAT is a percentage of the net price, so you must divide.

Current VAT rates

Country	Standard	Reduced
United Kingdom	20%	5%, 0%
Germany	19%	7%
France	20%	10%, 5.5%, 2.1%
Italy	22%	10%, 5%, 4%
Spain	21%	10%, 4%
Austria	20%	13%, 10%
Switzerland	8.1%	3.8%, 2.6%
Ireland	23%	13.5%, 9%

In Canada the federal GST is 5%. Some provinces combine it with their own tax into a single HST (13% in Ontario, 15% in the Atlantic provinces except Nova Scotia at 14%), while others charge a separate PST or QST on top. The calculator uses the combined rate for each province.

Which rate applies depends on the product or service. Food, books, children's goods and public transport often use a reduced rate. Check your national tax authority (HMRC, Bundeszentralamt für Steuern, impots.gouv.fr, Agenzia delle Entrate, Agencia Tributaria, CRA) for your exact case.

Frequently asked questions

What is the VAT rate in the UK?

The standard rate is 20%. A reduced rate of 5% applies to some goods such as home energy and children’s car seats, and many foods, books and children’s clothes are zero-rated (0%).

How do I work out VAT from a total that includes VAT?

Divide the total by 1 plus the rate, then subtract the result from the total. For 20%: £60 ÷ 1.2 = £50 net, so the VAT is £10. A quick shortcut for 20% is to divide the gross amount by 6.

Is VAT the same as sales tax?

Not quite. VAT is charged at every stage of the supply chain and businesses reclaim the VAT they pay, so only the final customer bears it. US sales tax is charged once, at the final sale. For the end customer the effect on the price is similar.

Are these VAT rates up to date?

We check every rate against official government sources and show the date of the last check on the home page. Rates do change, so confirm with your tax authority for anything important.

Last reviewed: November 13, 2026

Results are estimates for general information only and are not financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Check important figures with a qualified professional.