Calculate your take-home pay instantly after tax, NI, and pension
Enter your salary to see the breakdown
See detailed take-home pay breakdowns for common UK salary amounts:
Our UK salary calculator helps you understand your take-home pay by calculating deductions based on the latest HMRC tax rates. Simply enter your gross salary, and we'll show you exactly how much you'll receive after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.
Calculated based on your tax code and personal allowance. Age 65-74 get higher allowances, age 75+ get even higher. Basic rate is 20%. In Scotland, there is a starter rate of 19%, basic rate of 20%, intermediate rate of 21%, higher rate of 42%, advanced rate of 45%, and top rate of 48%. Higher rate is 40%, and additional rate is 45%.
8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% on earnings above £50,270. No NI is payable if you're age 65 or over.
If eligible (both married/civil partners, one earns below personal allowance, and higher earner is basic rate taxpayer), transfer unused allowance to save up to £252/year in tax.
Optional percentage of your gross salary contributed to your workplace pension scheme.
Understanding tax bands is essential for calculating your take-home pay. Here are the income tax rates and thresholds for the 2025/26 tax year:
| Band | Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Rate | £12,571 - £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher Rate | £50,271 - £125,140 | 40% |
| Additional Rate | Over £125,140 | 45% |
| Band | Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Rate | £12,571 - £15,397 | 19% |
| Basic Rate | £15,398 - £27,491 | 20% |
| Intermediate Rate | £27,492 - £43,662 | 21% |
| Higher Rate | £43,663 - £75,000 | 42% |
| Advanced Rate | £75,001 - £125,140 | 45% |
| Top Rate | Over £125,140 | 48% |
You'll pay 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on any earnings above £50,270 (if under age 65). Employees aged 65 and over pay no National Insurance. These contributions help fund the NHS, state pension, and other benefits. National Insurance rates are the same across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
If you're married or in a civil partnership and one of you earns less than the personal allowance (£12,570 for 2025/26), you can transfer any unused allowance to your higher-earning partner, reducing their tax bill.
If your partner earns nothing and you're a basic rate taxpayer, you can save up to £252/year (2025/26). This is 20% of the unused personal allowance. Actual savings depend on your partner's income and your circumstances.
You're eligible if: (1) You're married or in a civil partnership, (2) One of you earns less than £12,570 (2025/26), (3) The higher earner earns £50,270 or less (basic rate taxpayer), and (4) Neither is registered blind. If the higher earner earns above £50,270, they're a higher rate taxpayer and not eligible. Check your salary carefully before applying!
Yes, significantly! Personal Allowance increases at age 65+: Age under 65 gets £12,570, age 65-74 gets £15,490 (2025/26), and age 75+ gets £15,980. National Insurance stops at age 65: If you're 65 or older, you pay no National Insurance contributions at all, which can save you considerably. The calculator applies these automatically based on your age band selection.
Scotland has its own income tax system with 6 tax bands instead of 3. The differences are: Scotland has a starter rate of 19% (£12,571-£15,397), basic rate of 20% (£15,398-£27,491), intermediate rate of 21% (£27,492-£43,662), higher rate of 42% (£43,663-£75,000), advanced rate of 45% (£75,001-£125,140), and top rate of 48% (over £125,140). England/Wales have basic (20%, £12,571-£50,270), higher (40%, £50,271-£125,140), and additional (45%, over £125,140) rates. National Insurance rates are the same across the UK.
Your tax code is found on your payslip or P60 form. It tells your employer or pension provider how much tax to deduct from your pay or pension. The standard tax code for 2025/26 is 1257L, which gives you the full personal allowance of £12,570 (for under 65). If you're unsure of your tax code, you can check your last payslip or log into your HMRC personal tax account online. Most people have the same standard tax code, but some have unique codes based on their circumstances.
Our calculator uses official HMRC and Scottish tax rates for 2025/26, including age-based personal allowances and National Insurance exemptions. It provides accurate estimates for standard employment situations including income tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions. However, it doesn't account for complex situations like multiple jobs, self-employment, or certain tax reliefs. Always verify with your employer or accountant for your specific circumstances.
National Insurance (NI) is a tax on earnings that funds state benefits including the NHS and state pension. For employees under 65, you pay 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 per year, and 2% on earnings above £50,270. These are Class 1 contributions automatically deducted from your wages. If you're 65 or over, you pay no National Insurance at all. National Insurance rates are the same across the UK.
Yes, if you're enrolled in a workplace pension scheme. Pension contributions are typically deducted before tax (relief at source or net pay arrangement), which reduces your taxable income and means you pay less tax. A typical auto-enrolment pension requires a minimum 5% employee contribution and 3% employer contribution, totaling 8% of your qualifying earnings. The calculator shows how pension contributions affect your take-home pay.
Gross salary is your total earnings before any deductions. This is the figure usually quoted in job advertisements and employment contracts. Net salary (or take-home pay) is what you actually receive in your bank account after income tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions have been deducted. Understanding the difference is crucial for budgeting and financial planning.
This calculator is designed for employed individuals (PAYE). Self-employed people pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance contributions at different rates and thresholds, and have different tax payment schedules. If you're self-employed, you should use a self-assessment tax calculator or consult with an accountant to accurately calculate your tax obligations.
Compare outside IR35, inside IR35, and umbrella company take-home pay side by side
Your take-home pay is what you receive after income tax (20–45%), National Insurance (8% on £12,571–£50,270, then 2%), and any student loan repayments or pension contributions. For 2025/26 the personal allowance is £12,570 — you pay no tax on this amount. Scotland has six income tax bands instead of three. Our calculator supports all UK tax codes, Scottish rates, marriage allowance, and student loan plans 1–5.
England & Wales rates: 20% basic (to £50,270), 40% higher (to £125,140), 45% additional. Above £100,000, your personal allowance reduces by £1 for every £2 earned — creating an effective 60% rate. See our Scottish tax rates and £100k tax trap guides for details.