Calculator
Reverse Tax Calculator
Want a specific take-home pay? Enter the amount you want to receive and we’ll calculate the gross salary you need to earn.
What salary gives me £2,000, £2,500, £3,000 or £4,000 a month?
These 2026/27 examples estimate the annual gross salary needed for each monthly take-home target. Choose a salary to open its breakdown in the calculator, then add your pension and student loans.
| Monthly target | England, Wales & NI | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| £2,000.00 | £28,445.00 | £28,389.90 |
| £2,500.00 | £36,778.34 | £36,824.61 |
| £3,000.00 | £45,111.66 | £45,952.89 |
| £4,000.00 | £64,556.20 | £67,844.01 |
Assumptions: one employment for the full year, standard Personal Allowance, category A employee National Insurance, no pension, loans, salary sacrifice, benefits in kind or other income. Monthly amounts are annual net pay divided by 12, not a guarantee of an exact payslip. A different tax code or deduction changes the salary needed.
Calculated with our existing engine using HMRC’s 2026/27 rates and thresholds. Read the methodology.
What the reverse calculator solves
This page works backwards from target net pay using the same PAYE engine as the forward calculator, so it is useful for salary negotiation and budgeting rather than rough rule-of-thumb maths.
- Targets take-home pay rather than gross salary
- Useful when you know the net number you need each month
- Pairs well with salary pages once you want a breakdown at the estimated gross point
Guides to read with the result
These help if the gross salary required looks higher than expected because of PAYE, NI, or salary-sacrifice tradeoffs.