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UK Life Calculator

UK Salary & Take-Home Pay Calculator

Estimate your take-home pay after Income Tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and student loan deductions for the 2025/26 tax year.

£

% of gross salary

Uses 2025/26 rates for England, Wales & Northern Ireland. Scottish Income Tax bands differ.

Estimated take-home pay

£27,460

£2,288.30 per month · £528.07 per week

Gross annual salary
£35,000
Gross monthly
£2,916.67
Income Tax
− £4,136
National Insurance
− £1,654
Pension contribution
− £1,750
Take-home pay (annual)
£27,460
Effective deduction rate
16.5%

How does a UK salary calculator work?

A salary calculator takes your gross (before-tax) pay and subtracts the deductions that come out of most people's wages in the UK. The two biggest are Income Tax and National Insurance, both of which are worked out in bands so that you only pay the higher rate on the part of your income above each threshold.

This calculator uses the standard Personal Allowance of £12,570 and the 2025/26 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It then removes any pension contribution and student loan repayment you tell it about to arrive at your estimated take-home pay.

What is take-home pay?

Take-home pay (also called net pay) is the amount that actually lands in your bank account after all deductions. Your gross salary is the headline figure in your contract; your net pay is what is left once tax and other deductions have been taken off.

The gap between the two can be significant. Someone on £35,000 keeps roughly three-quarters of their salary once tax and National Insurance are paid, and less again once pension and student loan repayments are added.

What deductions are taken from your salary?

Income Tax is charged at 20% on income above your Personal Allowance up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140, and 45% above that. Employee National Insurance is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% on anything above.

Workplace pension contributions reduce your taxable pay in most schemes, which slightly lowers your tax bill. Student loan repayments depend on your plan type and only start once you earn above the relevant threshold.

Worked example

Someone earning £35,000 a year with a 5% pension contribution and a Plan 2 student loan pays roughly £3,986 in Income Tax and £1,794 in National Insurance, plus £586 towards their student loan and £1,750 into their pension.

That leaves an estimated take-home pay of about £26,884 a year, or around £2,240 a month. Your own figures will vary with your tax code, benefits and any other deductions.

Please note: These figures are estimates for the 2025/26 tax year using rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are not financial or tax advice. Your actual pay depends on your tax code and personal circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as my payslip?

It is a close estimate. Your actual payslip depends on your specific tax code, any taxable benefits, salary sacrifice arrangements and how your employer runs payroll, so small differences are normal.

Does it work for Scotland?

Income Tax bands are different in Scotland, so figures for Scottish taxpayers will not be exact. National Insurance and student loan rules are the same across the UK.

How is pension handled?

The calculator treats your pension as a percentage of gross pay that reduces the income subject to tax and National Insurance, which matches most workplace and salary-sacrifice schemes.

Which student loan plan should I choose?

Plan 1 and Plan 2 cover most English and Welsh graduates, Plan 4 is for Scottish borrowers, Plan 5 is for courses started from 2023, and Postgraduate is for masters and doctoral loans. Check your student loan account if you are unsure.

What is the Personal Allowance?

It is the amount you can earn before paying Income Tax, £12,570 for 2025/26. It is gradually withdrawn once you earn more than £100,000.

Are the results guaranteed to be accurate?

No. They are estimates to help you plan and should not be treated as financial or tax advice. For an exact figure, check with your employer or HMRC.

Figures last reviewed on 13 August 2025.