UK Salary
UK salary calculator 2026-27
Estimate monthly take-home pay in pounds after income tax, employee National Insurance, pension contribution, annual bonus, and optional student loan repayment.
Calculator
Estimate UK take-home pay
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How it works
How UK salary is estimated
The calculator uses 2026-27 England, Wales, and Northern Ireland income tax bands with the standard personal allowance and the allowance taper above £100,000. Scottish income tax bands are different and are not covered in this first version.
Employee National Insurance is estimated using Category A employee rates. Pension contribution is treated as reducing adjusted income for this planning estimate, and student loan repayment is optional.
Adjusted income = Gross salary + bonus - pension contribution
Monthly net pay = (Gross income - pension - income tax - National Insurance - student loan) / 12
FAQ
Which UK tax year does this calculator use?
It uses the current 2026-27 tax year, which runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027. Tax years matter because UK allowances, bands, National Insurance thresholds, and student loan thresholds can change.
Does this calculator cover Scotland?
No. Scotland has different income tax bands and rates for non-savings, non-dividend income. This calculator currently estimates England, Wales, and Northern Ireland salary tax.
How is the personal allowance handled?
The calculator uses the standard personal allowance and reduces it by £1 for every £2 of adjusted income above £100,000. Once income reaches £125,140, the allowance is normally fully removed.
How is National Insurance estimated?
Employee National Insurance is estimated using Category A employee rates for 2026-27. Employer National Insurance is not deducted because it is an employer cost, not a direct employee take-home deduction.
Should I enter pension contribution?
Yes, enter your regular employee pension contribution percentage. Pension reduces monthly cash now, but it can also reduce taxable income depending on scheme setup. This calculator uses a simplified adjusted-income approach.
Does bonus affect tax and National Insurance?
Yes. Bonus increases annual gross income and can push part of your income into a higher tax band. In real payroll, bonus withholding can look uneven month to month, so the calculator shows an annualized estimate.
Which student loan plan should I choose?
Choose the repayment plan shown on your payslip or student loan account. If you are unsure, use no student loan for a base estimate and then test Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, Plan 5, or postgraduate to see the difference.
Why is take-home pay lower than expected around £100,000?
Above £100,000, the personal allowance starts tapering away. This can create a high marginal deduction zone, especially when income tax, National Insurance, and student loan repayments all apply.
Does this include benefits in kind?
No. Company car, private medical insurance, accommodation, or other taxable benefits can affect tax code and payroll. Add only cash salary and bonus in this calculator.
Can I use this for contractor income?
Not directly. This is a PAYE-style employment salary calculator. Contractors, umbrella workers, sole traders, and limited company directors may need separate tax, dividend, corporation tax, and expense assumptions.