About this tool
Why use this tool
The net salary calculator converts a gross salary into your monthly take-home pay after HMRC deductions. It's an essential tool when negotiating a job offer, comparing two positions in different cities, preparing a career change or simply checking your payslip. In the UK, Income Tax and National Insurance combine with student loan repayments and pension contributions to make the gross-to-net journey far from straightforward.
How it works
The calculator applies the 2026/27 Personal Allowance (£12,570, tapered away above £100,000) and Income Tax bands (20% basic to £50,270, 40% higher to £125,140, 45% additional above), plus employee Class 1 National Insurance at 8% between £12,570 and £50,270 then 2%. Thresholds are frozen until April 2031. You can add a student-loan repayment (9% above the plan threshold: Plan 1 £26,900, Plan 2 £29,385, Plan 5 £25,000 for 2026/27). England, Wales and Northern Ireland rates only — Scottish Income Tax bands differ. Auto-enrolment workplace-pension contributions (typically 5% of qualifying earnings) are not modelled by default.
Real example
An employee earning £45,000 gross per year in England pays £6,486 in Income Tax (20% on the £32,430 above the Personal Allowance) and £2,594 in National Insurance (8% on the same band), for a take-home of about £35,920 a year — roughly £2,993 per month, with no student loan. Adding a 5% workplace pension contribution shifts £2,250 into retirement savings and reduces the Income Tax bill through salary sacrifice or relief-at-source, depending on the scheme.
Practical tips
Consider total reward, not just salary: employer pension match, private medical insurance (BUPA, Vitality), life assurance, income protection, cycle-to-work schemes and season-ticket loans all add value. Maximise your employer pension match first — it's a guaranteed return. Use a Lifetime ISA if you're saving for a first home and under 40. Check whether your employer offers salary sacrifice for pensions, EVs or childcare vouchers to reduce your tax bill legally.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides an indicative estimate based on standard tax codes and rUK bands. Your actual take-home depends on your tax code, Scottish residency, student loan plan, pension contributions, benefits in kind and other deductions. For an exact figure, refer to your latest payslip, the HMRC personal tax account or speak to a qualified accountant. This tool has no contractual value.