VAT Calculator | Add or Remove VAT and Compare Rates by Country
Free VAT calculator that converts net (VAT-exclusive) prices to gross (VAT-inclusive) prices and back, with a reference table of standard VAT/GST rates in the UK, Germany, France, and other major markets.
Standard VAT/GST rates by country
Standard rates shown below; many countries also apply reduced rates to specific goods (e.g. food, books). You can pick any of these countries from the "Choose a country" menu above.
| Country / region | Standard rate |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 20% |
| Ireland | 23% |
| Germany | 19% |
| France | 20% |
| Italy | 22% |
| Spain | 21% |
| Netherlands | 21% |
| Belgium | 21% |
| Austria | 20% |
| Switzerland | 8.1% |
| Sweden | 25% |
| Norway | 25% |
| Denmark | 25% |
| Poland | 23% |
| Portugal | 23% |
| Australia (GST) | 10% |
| New Zealand (GST) | 15% |
| Canada (federal GST) | 5% |
| South Africa | 15% |
| Singapore (GST) | 9% |
| South Korea | 10% |
| Mexico (IVA) | 16% |
| Japan (consumption tax) | 10% |
What is a VAT calculation?
VAT (Value Added Tax) is charged on the value added at each stage of production and distribution, and is ultimately borne by the end consumer. It works similarly to sales tax in the US or consumption tax in Japan, but the rate and the rules for what counts as taxable differ from country to country. If you sell internationally, travel for business, or import goods, being able to quickly convert between net and gross prices is essential.
This tool supports both directions: enter a net (VAT-exclusive) amount to add VAT, or enter a gross (VAT-inclusive) amount to work backwards to the net price and the VAT amount. The country list below shows standard VAT/GST rates for major markets so you can check an unfamiliar rate at a glance. All calculations run in your browser and the amount you enter is never sent to a server.
How to use the VAT calculator
- Choose whether your amount includes VAT Pick "Enter a net amount" if your figure excludes VAT, or "Enter a gross amount" if it already includes VAT.
- Pick a country or enter a custom rate Selecting a country auto-fills its standard rate. Choose "Custom" if you need to enter a reduced rate or a rate not listed.
- Enter the amount Pick a currency and type the amount — the net price, VAT amount, and gross price all update immediately.
Tips for getting more out of it
- Cross-border B2B transactions within the EU are often subject to the reverse charge mechanism, which can exempt the sale from VAT entirely — the rates shown here assume a standard domestic sale.
- Reduced rates for items like food, books, and medicine vary by country and by product category. The table above lists standard rates only; check your local tax authority for reduced-rate categories.
- Non-EU countries such as Switzerland and Norway also levy VAT-equivalent taxes, so don't assume EU membership determines whether a rate applies.
- Most jurisdictions require invoices to show the net amount, the VAT amount, and the gross amount separately — this tool's result breakdown maps directly onto that format.
When a VAT calculator comes in handy
Pricing an international online store
Quickly work out the price to display in countries that show VAT-inclusive prices versus those that show VAT-exclusive prices, from the same base cost.
Freelance and small business invoicing
Break an invoice total into net amount, VAT, and gross amount when billing clients abroad.
Claiming a VAT refund on business travel
Work backwards from a VAT-inclusive hotel or conference receipt to find the net amount and VAT you can claim back.
Comparing supplier quotes
Line up quotes from overseas suppliers that quote net vs. gross prices so you can compare the real landed cost.
Evaluating pricing strategy across markets
See how the same net price translates into different gross prices for consumers depending on the local VAT/GST rate.
VAT calculation glossary
- VAT (Value Added Tax)
- An indirect tax charged on the value added at each stage of a supply chain, ultimately paid by the end consumer. Similar in concept to GST and Japan's consumption tax.
- Net price
- The price of goods or services before VAT is added. Business-to-business quotes and invoice line items are usually shown net.
- Gross price
- The final amount actually paid, including VAT. Many EU countries require consumer-facing prices to be displayed gross.
- Reduced rate
- A lower VAT rate applied to specific categories such as food, books, or medicine. Which categories qualify varies widely by country.
- Reverse charge
- A mechanism used for cross-border B2B transactions within the EU where the buyer, rather than the seller, accounts for VAT in their own country.
VAT calculator FAQ
Side Note — Why VAT was invented
The modern VAT system is generally credited to French economist Maurice Lauré, who proposed it in 1954. Earlier sales taxes suffered from "cascading," where tax was charged again and again at every stage from raw materials to final sale. VAT solved this by taxing only the value each business adds, while letting businesses reclaim the VAT they paid on their own purchases.
France adopted the system first, and it spread across the European Community (now the EU) through the 1970s. Today nearly every EU member state uses VAT, and more than 160 countries worldwide — including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Singapore — use an equivalent system under the name VAT or GST. The United States is a notable exception among major economies, with no federal VAT and instead a patchwork of state-level sales taxes.
Rates vary widely, from Hungary's 27% down to Switzerland's 8.1%, and most countries also carve out reduced rates for everyday essentials like food and books. As cross-border trade grows, converting cleanly between net and gross prices — and knowing the going rate in each market — has become a routine part of doing business internationally.