Fill in the figures, then click Work out my take-home pay.
Result
The numbers
| Item | Per year | Per month |
|---|
The same pension, three ways
| Method | Cost to you per year | Goes into pension |
|---|
What to do
| Step | What it means |
|---|
What it does, and what it leaves to you
- Covers: an employee in England, Wales or Northern Ireland on a standard tax code: income tax with the personal allowance taper, employee National Insurance, Student Loan Plans 1, 2, 4 and 5, Postgraduate Loan and a pension by three methods.
- Gives: annual, monthly and weekly take-home pay, the marginal rate, and a side-by-side of the pension methods.
- Not decided: Scottish tax bands, other tax codes, second jobs, taxable benefits, Marriage Allowance, Gift Aid, and anything that changed after this was written.
Common questions
How much of my salary will I take home in the UK?
For 2025/26 you pay no income tax on the first £12,570, then 20% up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140 and 45% above, plus employee National Insurance of 8% between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above. On £30,000 that leaves about £25,120 a year, or £2,093 a month, before any pension or student loan.
What is the 60% tax trap?
Between £100,000 and £125,140 of adjusted net income the personal allowance is withdrawn at £1 for every £2 earned. Together with the 40% rate that is an effective 60% tax rate on that slice. Pension contributions reduce adjusted net income and can bring it back down.
What is the difference between salary sacrifice, net pay and relief at source?
Salary sacrifice cuts your pay before tax and National Insurance, so it saves both. A net pay arrangement takes the contribution before tax but after National Insurance. Relief at source takes it from take-home pay and the provider adds 20% back; higher rate relief is claimed separately. For the same percentage, salary sacrifice usually costs you least.
Do student loan repayments reduce my take-home pay?
Yes. Plan 1, 2, 4 and 5 loans take 9% of pay over the plan threshold and a Postgraduate Loan takes 6% over £21,000, both through payroll. They are not tax but they come off take-home pay in the same way.
Does this work for Scotland?
No. Scotland has its own income tax bands. This calculator covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland only.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is sent.