Find your tax code on your payslip, P60, or HMRC online account.
Try a common code:
Valid Tax Code
1257L
Your Tax Code
1257L
Personal Allowance: £12,579
Standard Personal Allowance
Personal Allowance
£12,579.00
Standard: £12,570.00 (+£9.00)
Tax-Free Income
£12,579.00/yr
£1,048.25/month
Income tax payable using your tax code (income tax only, excludes NI):
£30,000 salary
£3,484.20
income tax
£50,000 salary
£7,484.20
income tax
£80,000 salary
£19,428.40
income tax
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1257L | Standard code — £12,570 Personal Allowance (most common) |
| S1257L | Scottish taxpayer with standard Personal Allowance |
| C1257L | Welsh taxpayer with standard Personal Allowance |
| BR | All income taxed at basic rate (20%) — usually a second job |
| D0 | All income taxed at higher rate (40%) |
| NT | No tax deducted |
| 0T | No Personal Allowance — PA used up or no P45/P46 provided |
| K code | Negative PA — you owe tax from a previous year (deducted from pay) |
| W1/M1 | Non-cumulative (emergency) — tax calculated per pay period, not year-to-date |
Everything you need to know about PAYE tax codes in the UK
What is a PAYE tax code?
Your tax code tells your employer how much tax-free income you're entitled to before they start deducting tax. It's made up of a number (multiply by 10 and add 9 to get your Personal Allowance) and a letter (which describes your circumstances). For example, 1257L means a £12,579 tax-free allowance — the standard for 2025/26.
Why might my tax code be wrong?
Common reasons include: starting a new job without a P45, having underpaid tax from a previous year (K codes), receiving untaxed income like benefits-in-kind, or changes in your circumstances that HMRC hasn't processed yet. If you think your code is wrong, check your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK or call HMRC.
What does W1/M1/X mean?
These suffixes mean your tax is calculated on a non-cumulative basis — each pay period is treated in isolation rather than spreading your allowance across the year. This is usually temporary (emergency tax) and should be corrected once HMRC confirms your code.
Where do I find my tax code?
Check your payslip (usually near the top), your P60 (end-of-year certificate), a PAYE coding notice from HMRC, or your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk.
HMRC-Aligned: This tool decodes tax codes using official HMRC rules for the 2025/26 tax year. Tax estimates at example salaries are approximate — your actual tax depends on your full circumstances.
This calculator uses official rates and thresholds from:
Last verified: February 2026 · Tax year 2025/26. Results are indicative — consult a qualified accountant for personalised advice.
Reviewed by M. Samiuddin Quadri, ACCA — Chartered Certified Accountant at Gladstone & Co. · Updated for the 2025/26 tax year.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current HMRC rates and thresholds for the 2025/26 tax year. It does not constitute professional tax, financial, or legal advice. Your actual liability may differ depending on your individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified accountant or tax adviser before making financial decisions. Read our terms