UK tax · PAYE
Tax code checker and decoder.
Type the code from your payslip to see what each letter and number means.
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What it means
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How do I read a UK tax code?
A code is normally a number and a letter. The number is your tax-free pay for the year with the final digit dropped: HMRC starts with the Personal Allowance (£12,570), takes off untaxed income and company benefits, then replaces the last digit with a letter. The standard code for 2026-27 is 1257L. Common letters are L (standard allowance), M (Marriage Allowance received), N (Marriage Allowance given), T (other calculations), BR (all income at basic rate), D0 and D1 (all income at higher or additional rate), 0T (no allowance) and NT (no tax). A K code means untaxed income is more than your allowance. S means Scottish rates and C means Welsh rates. W1, M1 and X mark emergency codes (GOV.UK).
Worked example. A medical insurance benefit of £1,570 leaves £11,000 of allowance, giving code 1100L.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard tax code for 2026-27?
1257L, which reflects the £12,570 Personal Allowance.
What does BR mean on a tax code?
All income from that job or pension is taxed at the basic rate, usually on a second job or pension.
What does an S or C in front of my tax code mean?
S means Scottish Income Tax rates apply and C means Welsh rates.
What does W1 or M1 mean?
It is an emergency code: tax is worked out on each week's or month's pay alone rather than on your pay so far in the year.
What is a K code?
It means you have untaxed income or deductions bigger than your allowance. Your employer cannot take more than half of your pre-tax pay when using one.
Sources
Checked
- GOV.UK: What your tax code means
- GOV.UK: K in your tax code
- GOV.UK: Emergency tax codes
- GOV.UK: Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances
Figures are for the 2026-27 tax year. Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.
Scope
A planning estimate using standard rates, not tax advice or an HMRC calculation. Your own position may differ. Check GOV.UK, your HMRC account or a qualified adviser before acting.