Calculators

Take-home pay calculator

Find out what lands in your bank account after Income Tax, National Insurance, your pension and any student loan. Updated for the 2026/27 tax year.

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Most workplace pensions use qualifying earnings: your pay between £6,240 and £50,270. With relief at source, tax relief is added to your pension. With net pay, your contribution comes out before tax. Not sure which you have? Your payslip, or HR or payroll at work, can tell you.

£2,014.14Take-home pay a month
£24,170Take-home pay a year
£158.40Into your pension a month, including your employer's share
  • Take-home
  • Income Tax
  • National Insurance
  • Pension
  • Student loan
MonthYearWeek
Salary£2,500.00£30,000£577
Income Tax−£290.50−£3,486−£67
National Insurance−£116.16−£1,394−£27
Pension−£79.20−£950−£18
Student loan£0.00£0£0
Take-home pay£2,014.14£24,170£465

    How the calculator works

    It works out your pay the way a monthly payroll would, using the 2026/27 rates. We assume you have the standard tax code, 1257L, and that your salary is the same every month.

    Nothing you type in is stored or sent anywhere. It's all worked out in your browser.

    What comes off your pay

    • Income Tax. Most people can earn £12,570 a year before paying any. After that, it's 20% up to £50,270 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, then 40% and 45% on higher incomes. Scotland has six bands, from 19% to 48%. How tax works explains the basics.
    • National Insurance. 8% of what you earn between £1,048 and £4,189 a month, and 2% on anything above that. It builds up your right to the State Pension.
    • Your pension. If you're enrolled at work, at least 5% of your qualifying earnings goes in from you (tax relief included), plus at least 3% from your employer. Read workplace pensions explained.
    • Student loan. You repay 9% of what you earn above your plan's threshold, and 6% above £21,000 for a Postgraduate Loan. Read how student loan repayments work.

    Student loan thresholds for 2026/27

    PlanWho's usually on itYou repay
    Plan 1Started in England or Wales before September 2012, or from Northern Ireland9% above £26,900
    Plan 2Started in England between September 2012 and July 2023, or in Wales from September 20129% above £29,385
    Plan 4From Scotland9% above £33,795
    Plan 5Started in England from August 20239% above £25,000
    Postgraduate LoanA master's or doctoral loan from England or Wales6% above £21,000

    Why your payslip might look different

    • Your tax code. If it isn't 1257L, you'll pay more or less tax. An emergency code in a new job is a common reason.
    • Pay that changes. Overtime, bonuses and commission change what comes off that month.
    • Benefits from work, such as private medical insurance, can reduce your tax-free allowance.
    • Higher-rate tax relief. If your pension adds tax relief for you and you pay 40% tax or more, you can claim extra relief from HMRC. It doesn't show on your payslip.
    • Rounding. Payroll software rounds some figures, so a few pence either way is normal.

    Our guide to reading your payslip goes through it line by line.

    Common questions

    How much is £30,000 after tax?

    In England, Wales or Northern Ireland, about £2,014 a month, if you pay the minimum into a workplace pension and have no student loan. That's after £290.50 of Income Tax, £116.16 of National Insurance and £79.20 into your pension.

    Does paying into a pension reduce my take-home pay?

    Yes, but by less than the amount going in. Tax relief and your employer's contribution are added on top, so £79.20 from your pay can put £158.40 into your pension.

    What is salary sacrifice?

    You agree to a lower salary, and your employer pays the difference into your pension. You save Income Tax and National Insurance on it. Our salary sacrifice guide covers the pros and cons.

    Do I pay Scottish tax rates?

    You do if you live in Scotland, wherever your employer is based. Your tax code will start with an S.

    Add this calculator to your site

    Run a careers page, student union site or blog? You're welcome to embed this calculator for free. Copy this code into your page:

    <iframe src="https://askaxel.co.uk/embed/take-home-pay/" title="Take-home pay calculator from Ask Axel" width="100%" height="980" style="border:0;max-width:960px" loading="lazy"></iframe>

    We update it every tax year, so the figures on your site stay current.

    Sources

    Checked on 13 October 2026. Rules and rates can change, so check the latest position before you act.

    This calculator gives an estimate, not personal financial advice. Read our full disclaimer.

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