UK Take-Home Pay Calculator (2025/26)
Work out UK take-home pay after income tax, National Insurance, pension and student loan using 2025/26 rates (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
How UK take-home pay is calculated
Income tax uses a tax-free personal allowance of £12,570. The next £37,700 of taxable income is taxed at 20% (basic rate), income up to £125,140 at 40% (higher rate) and anything above at 45% (additional rate). The personal allowance falls by £1 for every £2 of adjusted income over £100,000, which creates an effective 60% rate in that range. National Insurance is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above that.
Pension and student loan
Pension contributions are treated as a net pay arrangement: they reduce income tax but not National Insurance. A student loan takes 9% of income above your plan's threshold; enter the threshold for your plan, or 0 if you have none.
Limits
Scottish tax bands, the marginal child benefit charge, salary sacrifice, benefits in kind and tax codes are not modelled. Amounts are shown in pounds whatever currency is selected.
Tax year: UK 2025/26. Rates and limits are updated every year. Source: GOV.UK income tax rates. Last reviewed November 2026.
Tips and common mistakes
- Pension contributions can pull you under the 40% or 60% tax thresholds.
- Check your payslip tax code if the figure differs.
- Scottish taxpayers have different bands and will see different results.
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Which tax year is this?
2025/26 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Does it work for Scotland?
No. Scotland has its own income tax bands.
What is the 60% tax trap?
Between £100,000 and £125,140 you lose £1 of personal allowance for every £2 earned, so the effective marginal rate is 60%.
Does the pension reduce National Insurance?
Not in this model (net pay arrangement). Salary sacrifice can reduce both.
Is it exact?
It is a close estimate. Your payslip is the final figure.
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