UK Take Home Pay
Calculator 2026
Find out exactly what lands in your bank account after income tax, National Insurance, student loan and pension — updated for the new April 2026 National Living Wage and frozen thresholds.
Four steps to your real pay
Basic Info
Enter your annual gross salary — the number on your contract before any deductions. Choose your student loan plan, tax region (Scotland has separate bands), and whether you are under State Pension age.
Income (optional)
Add any bonus, overtime, taxable benefits or other income. These are added to your gross and taxed accordingly — a large bonus can push you into a higher band in the month it is paid.
Deductions (optional)
Enter your pension percentage and any salary sacrifice amount. Both reduce your taxable income before tax and NI are applied — saving on both simultaneously, which makes them more valuable than they first appear.
Calculate
Hit the button. Your full breakdown appears instantly — annual, monthly and weekly net pay, every deduction listed, and your effective tax rate in plain English.
Why use this calculator
Always current
Updated every April and mid-year if HMRC announces changes. April 2026 minimum wage rates are already applied.
Scotland included
All seven Scottish income tax bands for 2026. Most calculators skip this entirely.
All 5 loan plans
Plans 1, 2, 4, 5 and Postgraduate — with correct 2026 thresholds. Plan 5 deductions start this April.
Pension-aware
See exactly how salary sacrifice changes your real take-home — not just your gross. Instantly.
100% private
No account, no email, no tracking. Your numbers never leave your screen.
Mobile-first
Built for phones. Check a job offer on the go without pinching and zooming.
When people reach for this tool
Applying for a mortgage
Lenders use your net income, not gross. Find your monthly take-home before approaching any bank. Student loan deductions also reduce disposable income and directly affect affordability calculations.
Evaluating a job offer
A £5,000 pay rise after 40% tax and NI can add as little as £230–280/month. Run both figures through the calculator first — the difference is often smaller than the headline number suggests.
First job after university
Your first payslip can be a shock. Income tax, NI and student loan can take a sizeable chunk. Use this to budget confidently from day one — especially if Plan 5 deductions start this April.
Optimising pension contributions
An extra 3% into a pension often costs far less than expected. For higher-rate taxpayers, £200/month into a pension can cost as little as £90 in actual take-home pay.
Annual budget planning
With thresholds frozen and wages rising, many workers quietly pay more tax each year without realising it. Run your salary every April — even if your gross hasn’t moved.
Contractor vs employee
Find the true net value of a permanent salary first, then compare it to a day-rate equivalent — factoring in your own NI, pension and unpaid leave costs.
UK tax rates & allowances
Income tax bands — England, Wales & N. Ireland
| Taxable income | Rate | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £12,570 | 0% | Personal Allowance Frozen to 2028 |
| £12,571 – £50,270 | 20% | Basic rate Frozen |
| £50,271 – £125,140 | 40% | Higher rate |
| Over £125,140 | 45% | Additional rate |
National Insurance
| Earnings | Employee NI | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £12,570 | 0% | Below primary threshold |
| £12,571 – £50,270 | 8% | Main rate — unchanged |
| Above £50,270 | 2% | Upper earnings limit |
Employer NI rose from 13.8% to 15% from April 2026 and the secondary threshold dropped from £9,100 to £5,000. This does not appear on your payslip, but higher employment costs have led many businesses to moderate pay rises.
National Minimum Wage 2026
Age 21+
Voluntary · from May 2026
| Category | Rate to Mar 2026 | Rate from Apr 2026 | Change | Full-time annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21+ National Living Wage | £12.21 | £12.71 | +4.1% | ~£24,785 |
| Age 18–20 | £10.00 | £10.85 | +8.5% | ~£21,158 |
| Age 16–17 / Apprentice | £7.55 | £8.00 | +6.0% | ~£15,600 |
| London Living Wage (voluntary) | £13.85 | £14.80 | +6.9% | ~£28,860 |
Student loan thresholds 2026
| Plan | Threshold | Rate | Write-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 — before Sep 2012 | £26,065 | 9% | 25 yrs / age 65 |
| Plan 2 — Sep 2012–Jul 2023 | £28,470 | 9% | 30 years |
| Plan 4 — Scotland | £32,745 | 9% | 30 years |
| Plan 5 — Aug 2023+ New Apr 2026 | £25,000 | 9% | 40 years |
| Postgraduate | £21,000 | 6% | 30 years |
What changed for 2026
| Item | Previous rate | From April 2026 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | £12,570 | £12,570 | Frozen ❄ |
| Basic rate threshold | £50,270 | £50,270 | Frozen ❄ |
| Employee NI rate | 8% / 2% | 8% / 2% | Unchanged |
| Employer NI rate | 13.8% | 15% | ↑ Increased |
| Employer NI threshold | £9,100 | £5,000 | ↓ Lowered |
| Employment Allowance | £5,000 | £10,500 | ↑ Doubled |
| National Living Wage (21+) | £12.21/hr | £12.71/hr | +4.1% |
| NMW age 18–20 | £10.00/hr | £10.85/hr | +8.5% |
| Pension annual allowance | £60,000 | £60,000 | Unchanged |
Frequently asked questions
Related calculators
Estimates only. Based on HMRC rates for the 2026 tax year assuming tax code 1257L. Your actual take-home may differ depending on your tax code, multiple employments, benefits in kind, or other circumstances. For personalised advice consult a qualified accountant or visit gov.uk/income-tax.