UK Net to Gross Salary Calculator
Enter your desired take-home pay and find out exactly what gross salary you need before tax, National Insurance and other deductions.
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Results are estimates only and do not constitute financial advice.
Common take-home targets — 2026/27
Click any row to load it into the calculator above.
| Desired take-home | Required gross | Income tax | NI | Effective rate |
|---|
How it's calculated
This calculator works backwards from your desired take-home pay to find the gross salary that produces exactly that amount after all deductions.
Because income tax and National Insurance use multiple bands and thresholds, there is no simple formula to reverse the calculation. The calculator uses an iterative binary search to find the precise gross salary.
Pension contributions are treated as salary sacrifice, reducing your taxable income before tax and NI are applied — so a pension lowers the gross salary you need to reach a given take-home.
Frequently asked questions
This calculator assumes tax code 1257L. Different tax codes, employer benefits or other deductions will change the gross salary required.
Yes — salary sacrifice pension contributions reduce your taxable income. You actually need a slightly lower gross to achieve the same take-home than you would without a pension.
Scottish taxpayers face higher rates above £43,662, so the required gross is generally higher than for an equivalent earner elsewhere in the UK.
What is net to gross?
Net to gross is the reverse of the usual take-home pay calculation. Instead of starting with a salary and working out what you receive, you start with the amount you want to receive and work out the salary you need to negotiate for.
This is useful when you have a specific monthly budget in mind — for example, a mortgage commitment or a savings target — and you need to know what salary covers it.
It is also helpful for employers setting salary packages, or for comparing a contractor day rate to an employed equivalent salary.
Tips for salary negotiation
Use this calculator to find the gross salary that gives you your target monthly income, so you can walk into negotiations with a precise figure.
Employer pension contributions are part of your total package. Use our pension calculator to understand the full value.
Crossing £50,270 puts earnings into the 40% band. Earning slightly above this threshold costs significantly more in gross salary per additional pound of take-home.
UK income tax rates 2026/27
Income tax is charged on earnings above your personal allowance. Scotland has separate rates.
| Band | Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,571–£50,270 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,271–£125,140 | 40% |
| Additional rate | Over £125,140 | 45% |
| Band | Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Starter rate | £12,571–£15,397 | 19% |
| Basic rate | £15,398–£27,491 | 20% |
| Intermediate rate | £27,492–£43,662 | 21% |
| Higher rate | £43,663–£75,000 | 42% |
| Advanced rate | £75,001–£125,140 | 45% |
| Top rate | Over £125,140 | 48% |
NI rates are the same across the UK: 8% on earnings between £12,570–£50,270, and 2% above £50,270.