This free UK take home pay calculator shows exactly how much of your salary you keep after tax in the 2026/27 tax year. Enter your gross annual salary, add your pension percentage and student loan plan if you have one, and you’ll instantly see your net pay broken down by income tax and National Insurance — the figure that actually lands in your bank account.
Why your take-home pay is lower than your salary
When a UK employer advertises a salary, that’s your gross pay — the amount before deductions. Your net pay (take-home) is what’s left after HMRC takes its share. Two main deductions stand between the two for most workers: income tax and National Insurance. Pension contributions and student loan repayments come out as well if they apply to you.
The deductions explained
Income tax works on bands. The first £12,570 (your personal allowance) is tax-free; income above that is taxed at 20% up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140, and 45% beyond. One trap worth knowing: above £100,000 the personal allowance is withdrawn at £1 for every £2 earned, creating an effective 60% marginal rate between £100,000 and £125,140.
National Insurance is charged at 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above that. Unlike income tax it’s calculated per pay period, but the annual figure this calculator shows is what you’ll pay over the year.
Student loans take 9% of income above your plan’s threshold — around £28,470 for Plan 2, £25,000 for Plan 5, and £32,745 for Plan 4 (Scotland).
How to use this UK take home pay calculator to compare offers
The real power of a take-home calculator is comparison. Because tax thresholds have been frozen since 2021 while wages rise — the “fiscal drag” effect — a pay rise doesn’t translate pound-for-pound into your pocket: a £3,000 rise on a £45,000 salary partly lands in the 40% band. Before accepting an offer or negotiating a rise, run both numbers here and compare the net difference. If you’re researching what different roles pay in the first place, see our full breakdown of the average salary in the UK or our ranking of the highest paying trades in the UK.
Comparing two UK job offers is where a take-home calculator earns its place, because a higher gross salary doesn’t always mean more money in your pocket. A pay rise that pushes part of your income into the 40% higher-rate band, or past a student loan threshold, is taxed far more heavily than the pounds below it. Running both salaries through the calculator shows the real net difference, which is the number that actually matters when you’re deciding whether a new role, a relocation or a promotion is worth it.
Is this UK take home pay calculator accurate?
It uses official 2026/27 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is accurate for a standard situation. Scotland uses different income tax bands, and tax codes, benefits-in-kind or marriage allowance can change your exact figure — for a precise number, check your tax code with HMRC.
What’s the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross pay is your total salary before deductions — the number on your job offer. Net pay is what reaches your bank account after income tax, National Insurance and any pension or student loan deductions. This calculator converts one into the other.
Why is there a 60% tax trap at £100,000?
Between £100,000 and £125,140, every £2 earned removes £1 of personal allowance, so you pay 40% tax on the income plus 20% more from the lost allowance — an effective 60% marginal rate. Many earners in this band use pension contributions to manage it.
Does the calculator include pension and student loans?
Yes — enter your pension percentage and select your student loan plan and both are deducted. Pension contributions also reduce your taxable income, which the calculation reflects.
Want to know what you could be earning in the first place? Explore our full guide to the average salary in the UK, or check the official tax figures at GOV.UK.