GST or Goods and Services Tax is the indirect tax that replaced multiple taxes like VAT, service tax, excise duty, etc. in India. When you buy or sell goods and services, you need to add GST on top of the price. There are three types of GST you need to understand: CGST and SGST (paid to central and state governments when transaction is within same state), and IGST (paid to central government when transaction is between different states).
For FY 2025-26, common GST rates are 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% depending on the product or service. If your transaction is within the same state (say buying and selling within Maharashtra), CGST and SGST apply - each being half of the total GST rate. So if GST is 18%, you pay 9% CGST and 9% SGST. If transaction is between different states (say from Maharashtra to Karnataka), you pay full 18% as IGST. Some items like essential food items, medicines, educational services are either exempt or have lower rates like 5%.
Calculating GST manually can be confusing, especially when you need to include or exclude it from your invoice amount. Our GST calculator helps you figure out the exact breakdown whether you know the price before GST or after GST. This is especially useful for small business owners, freelancers, and traders who need to create proper invoices and understand how much tax they're collecting on behalf of the government.
If you're a business owner registered under GST, you can claim input tax credit on GST you've paid on purchases. Use our GST input credit calculator to understand how much credit you can claim and reduce your GST liability. For businesses dealing with imports and exports, there are additional taxes and duties - use our export import tax calculator to get complete picture.
For complete GST rates list and rules, check the GST portal at GST official website which has the latest GST rate finder, tax invoices, and filing procedures for businesses.
Input the base amount - either excluding GST or including GST based on your transaction type.
Choose the applicable GST rate from the dropdown (0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) or enter a custom rate.
Select Intra-state (CGST + SGST) or Inter-state (IGST) based on your transaction location.
Choose whether your amount is exclusive of GST (amount + GST) or inclusive of GST (amount includes GST).
Press "Calculate GST" to get instant results with detailed breakdown of CGST, SGST, and IGST.
Check the summary cards and detailed breakdown to understand the GST components and total amount.
For Intra-state Transactions:
For Inter-state Transactions:
| GST Rate | Category | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | Exempted | Fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, bread, salt |
| 0.25% | Special Rate | Rough precious stones, diamonds |
| 3% | Precious Metals | Gold, silver, precious stones |
| 5% | Essential Items | Food items, medicines, transport, books |
| 12% | Processed Items | Processed food, computers, mobile phones |
| 18% | Standard Rate | Most goods and services, electronics, clothing |
| 28% | Luxury Items | Cars, tobacco, aerated drinks, luxury goods |
• CGST (Central GST) and SGST (State GST) apply to intra-state transactions
• IGST (Integrated GST) applies to inter-state transactions
• CGST + SGST = IGST (same rate split between center and state)
• GST is calculated on the transaction value of goods and services
One of the most common GST mistakes happens at the invoice stage. Businesses often confuse whether their listed price already includes GST or if GST needs to be added separately. This confusion can lead to under-collection or over-collection of tax.
Exclusive pricing means GST is added on top of the base price. This is common in B2B transactions where GST is shown separately on invoices. Inclusive pricing means the final price already includes GST, which is common in retail sales and consumer invoices.
Always confirm your pricing model before issuing invoices. Incorrect GST calculation can result in short payment of tax, notices from the GST department, and reconciliation issues during return filing.
GST collected on invoices is not your income, it is tax collected on behalf of the government. Incorrect calculation or delayed payment can directly affect your working capital and compliance status.
Businesses must report invoice-level GST details in returns like GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. Any mismatch between invoices, GST collected, and tax paid can trigger notices and block input tax credit for customers.
Accurate GST calculation ensures smooth return filing, faster input credit claims, and avoids interest and penalties. Treat GST as a compliance responsibility, not just a billing adjustment.
Avoiding these mistakes saves money, prevents notices, and improves GST compliance. A calculator helps, but understanding the logic behind GST is equally important.
Use our GST calculator by entering the amount, selecting the appropriate GST rate, and choosing whether the amount is inclusive or exclusive of GST. The calculator will automatically compute CGST, SGST, or IGST based on your transaction type.
The key differences are:
Use exclusive when you know the base price and want to add GST to it (e.g., pricing products). Use inclusive when you have the final price that already includes GST and want to know the GST component (e.g., analyzing invoices or receipts).
The current GST rates are: 0% (exempted items), 0.25% (rough precious stones), 3% (gold, silver), 5% (essential items), 12% (processed items), 18% (standard rate for most goods/services), and 28% (luxury items). These rates are uniform across all states in India.
For inter-state transactions, IGST (Integrated GST) is applicable at the full GST rate. For example, if the GST rate is 18%, the entire 18% is collected as IGST by the Central Government, which is then distributed between the center and the destination state.
Yes, registered businesses can claim input tax credit (ITC) on GST paid on purchases used for business purposes. The ITC can be used to offset GST liability on sales. However, certain items like personal expenses, exempted supplies, and blocked credits are not eligible for ITC.
The GST registration threshold is ₹20 lakhs for most states and ₹10 lakhs for special category states (like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, etc.). Businesses exceeding this threshold must register for GST and file regular returns.
Our calculator provides accurate GST calculations based on current rates and rules. However, for complex transactions involving multiple items with different rates, composition schemes, or special provisions, it's advisable to consult a GST expert or use official GST calculation tools.