Net to gross salary calculator
Working out gross pay from a target take-home means adding back income tax and National Insurance, since deductions rise from 20% to 40% across the bands set out on gov.uk's Income Tax rates page. This tool estimates the gross salary needed for 2026/27.
Why is grossing up not a flat percentage?
Take-home does not rise in a straight line with salary. Below £12,570 there is no tax or National Insurance, so gross equals net, under gov.uk's Income Tax rates page. Above that, each pound is taxed at 20% then 40%, and National Insurance steps from 8% to 2%, per gov.uk's National Insurance rates page. Because the deduction rate changes across the bands, a single percentage cannot recover the gross from the net.
This tool solves the problem numerically. It tries a gross figure, works out the take-home the normal way, and narrows in until the take-home matches the target. The result is the gross salary that produces the net figure asked for.
What gross salary gives an example take-home?
To take home £2,000 a month, that is £24,000 a year after deductions. Adding back an estimated £3,175 of income tax and £1,270 of National Insurance for a salary of this size gives a gross of about £28,445. Ask for much more take-home and the required gross climbs faster, because the extra falls in the 40% band.
Common questions
How do I work out gross from net pay?
You cannot simply add a fixed percentage, because tax and National Insurance change across the bands. This tool searches for the gross salary whose take-home matches your target, using the 2026/27 rates, so the answer is exact rather than a rough grossing-up.
What gross salary gives me £2,000 a month take-home?
About £28,445 a year. That leaves roughly £2,000 a month after £3,175 income tax and £1,270 National Insurance across the year.
Why is the gross so much higher than the net?
The gap is income tax and National Insurance. As the gross rises into the 40% band, each extra pound of take-home needs a larger jump in gross, which is why grossing up is not a flat multiplier.
Does this include pension or student loan?
No. It assumes a standard tax code with no pension contributions or student loan. Those would raise the gross needed for a given take-home, so treat this as the baseline figure.
Why is grossing up not a flat percentage?
Below the £12,570 personal allowance there is no tax or National Insurance, so gross equals net, but above it each pound is taxed at 20% then 40%, under gov.uk's Income Tax rates and National Insurance rates pages. Because the deduction rate changes across the bands, a single multiplier cannot recover the gross figure.
What gross salary gives an example take-home?
To take home £2,000 a month, that is £24,000 a year after deductions. Adding back an estimated £3,175 of income tax and £1,270 of National Insurance gives a gross of about £28,445.
Sources & Rate Verification
Rates verified against official statutory guidance on 6 September 2026.