VAT Calculator
Calculate the exclusive price, VAT amount, and inclusive price from a net or gross amount and a VAT rate you enter.
Calculator Inputs
The price amount, interpreted per the mode selected below.
VAT rate to apply — enter your country or region's rate.
Whether the price amount above already includes VAT.
- Inclusive Amount (with VAT)
- $120.00
- Exclusive Amount (without VAT)
- $100.00
- VAT Amount
- $20.00
About these results
CalcSpectrum calculators produce automated estimates using established formulas and the specific values you enter. Because real-world outcomes depend on input accuracy, mathematical assumptions, and rounding conventions, please verify critical figures with an appropriately qualified financial, tax, medical, legal, or other professional, as relevant.
Financial Notice: These figures are informational estimates for personal planning only. They do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice, nor do they represent a lending offer or credit approval. Provider and financial institution figures, rates, fees, and underwriting requirements may differ.
How It's Calculated
Formula
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a consumption tax added to the price of goods and services in many countries. This calculator works in either direction, depending on which type of amount you're starting with. If your amount is NET (exclusive of VAT — the pre-tax price), it adds VAT on top: Inclusive = Exclusive × (1 + Rate/100). If your amount is GROSS (inclusive of VAT — the price a customer actually pays), it backs the VAT out: Exclusive = Inclusive / (1 + Rate/100), then VAT Amount = Inclusive − Exclusive. The VAT rate itself is always something you enter — this calculator does not look up official country-specific VAT rates, since those change over time and vary by product category and jurisdiction. Enter whatever rate applies to your situation.
Worked Examples
Net → Gross: $100 net price, 20% VAT
- Exclusive amount: $100.00 (given, already net)
- VAT amount: 100 × (20 / 100) = $20.00
- Inclusive amount: 100 + 20 = $120.00
Gross → Net: $115 gross price, 15% VAT
- Inclusive amount: $115.00 (given, already gross)
- Exclusive amount: 115 / (1 + 15/100) = 115 / 1.15 = $100.00
- VAT amount: 115 − 100 = $15.00
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether my price is 'net' or 'gross'?
A net (exclusive) price is the pre-tax amount before VAT is added — common on B2B invoices and wholesale pricing. A gross (inclusive) price already has VAT baked in — this is typically what a consumer sees on a retail price tag or receipt total. If you're unsure, check whether the source explicitly states "excl. VAT" (net) or "incl. VAT" (gross).
Does this calculator know my country's VAT rate automatically?
No — you enter the rate yourself. VAT rates vary by country, and often by product or service category within the same country, and they change over time through legislation. Rather than embedding a rate table that could become outdated or inaccurate for your specific case, this calculator lets you supply whatever rate applies to your situation.
Why does dividing by (1 + rate/100) work to remove VAT from a gross price?
Because the gross price is exclusive price multiplied by (1 + rate/100) in the first place — that's how VAT was added on. Dividing by the same factor reverses the multiplication and recovers the original exclusive amount. Simply subtracting the VAT percentage directly from the gross amount would give the wrong answer, because that percentage was calculated on the smaller exclusive amount, not the larger gross amount.
Can the VAT rate be 0%?
Yes — 0% is valid and simply means no VAT is added or removed; the exclusive and inclusive amounts come out identical, which correctly models a zero-rated or VAT-exempt item.