Received a job offer and not sure what that gross salary means for your monthly take-home? Our free UK net salary calculator gives you an instant, accurate breakdown after Income Tax and National Insurance — no sign-up required.
👉 Try our free UK Net Salary Calculator
Gross Pay vs. Take-Home Pay in the UK
Your gross salary is the amount agreed with your employer before deductions. Your take-home pay is what lands in your bank account after HMRC takes its share.
In the UK in 2026, most employees lose 25 to 35% of their gross pay to deductions, including:
- Income Tax (20%, 40%, or 45% depending on your earnings)
- National Insurance contributions (8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270)
- Student Loan repayments (if applicable — Plan 1, 2, or 5)
- Pension contributions (auto-enrolment minimum 5%)
How to Use Our UK Salary Calculator
- Head to our UK Net Salary Calculator
- Enter your gross annual or monthly salary in pounds (£)
- Select your tax code (default 1257L for most employees)
- Choose whether you have a student loan and your pension contribution
- Get your full take-home pay breakdown instantly
Real UK Examples for 2026 (Standard Tax Code 1257L)
| Gross Annual Salary | Monthly Take-Home | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| £20,000 | ~£1,460/month | ~12.4% |
| £30,000 | ~£2,000/month | ~19.9% |
| £40,000 | ~£2,530/month | ~24.0% |
| £60,000 | ~£3,490/month | ~30.2% |
| £80,000 | ~£4,430/month | ~33.4% |
2026/27 UK Income Tax Bands (England & Wales)
| Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £12,570 (Personal Allowance) | 0% |
| £12,571 – £50,270 (Basic Rate) | 20% |
| £50,271 – £125,140 (Higher Rate) | 40% |
| Over £125,140 (Additional Rate) | 45% |
Note: Scottish taxpayers have different rates — Scotland uses its own Income Tax bands set by the Scottish Parliament.