Price Before VAT Calculator

Take VAT out of a gross price to find the net amount and the tax included in it.

Enter the total you paid or charged and the rate applied, and get the price before tax plus the VAT hidden inside it.

Price before VAT

  • Net (excl. VAT)
  • VAT included
  • Total paid

How Does It Work?

  1. Enter the total priceUse the amount that already includes VAT — the figure on the receipt or the card statement.
  2. Enter the VAT rate appliedIf the receipt lists several rates, run the calculation once per rate band.
  3. Read the net priceThe tax portion is shown alongside, ready for your bookkeeping.

What Is It Used For?

Removing VAT is a division, not a subtraction. Taking 21% off a gross price of 121 gives 95.59, but the correct net price is 100. This tool applies the right formula so your accounts reconcile.

  • Recording a business expense where only the gross total is shown.
  • Splitting a receipt into net cost and recoverable tax.
  • Checking how much of a consumer price is actually tax.
  • Converting a "price includes VAT" listing into a comparable net price.

Examples

Gross priceRateNet priceVAT included
121.0021%100.0021.00
60.0020%50.0010.00
1,190.0019%1,000.00190.00
33.0010%30.003.00

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove VAT from a price?

Divide the gross price by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 21%, divide by 1.21: 121 ÷ 1.21 = 100 net, with 21 of VAT.

Why is subtracting the percentage wrong?

Because the tax was calculated on the net price, which is smaller than the gross. Subtracting 21% from the gross applies the rate to the wrong base and understates the net figure.

What is the quick divisor for common rates?

Divide by 1.05 for 5%, 1.10 for 10%, 1.19 for 19%, 1.20 for 20%, 1.21 for 21% and 1.23 for 23%.

Can I use this for sales tax or GST?

Yes, whenever the tax is a straight percentage added to the net price the same reverse formula applies.

Free. No registration. This tool runs entirely in your browser, so the data you enter stays on your device.