Tax calculator

PAYE Tax Code Explainer

Understand supported PAYE tax-code components for 2026/27 and continue to HMRC when context is required.

  • Tax year shown with the calculator
  • Assumptions explained
  • Source-linked methodology

For tax year 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027

Understand a PAYE tax code

See what the supported letters, number, regional prefix and emergency marker mean. This code-only explainer does not estimate tax or decide whether HMRC has given you the right code.

Enter it as shown, for example 1257L, S1257L M1, CBR or K475. Do not enter pay or personal details.

Is this your only current job, and is the code not for a pension?

A second job, pension or several PAYE income sources can only be checked safely using your complete HMRC record.

The code is used only to render this explanation. No pay, name, email address or phone number is requested.

What this explainer does not do

It does not estimate Income Tax, verify the deductions HMRC included, allocate an allowance between employments, or apply the K-code 50% deduction limit. Use HMRC’s checker for those tasks.

The numeric amount is the tax-free amount represented by that employment code. It may differ from your standard Personal Allowance because HMRC can adjust a code for untaxed income, benefits or other deductions.

How to understand your result

Your result is an estimate for the tax year shown on the calculator. The breakdown lists each step, the rates and thresholds used, and the date the figures were last checked against GOV.UK. Amounts are rounded the way HMRC rounds them where a rule exists.

Each calculator lists what it leaves out, such as other income, reliefs or special cases, so read the assumptions before you rely on the figure. For your own position, check your HMRC online account or speak to a qualified professional.