Tax Code Checker: What Does My Tax Code Mean?
Enter the code from your payslip, P45 or HMRC letter.
| Letter or type | L |
|---|---|
| Tax-free allowance for the year | about £12,570 |
| What it means | You get the standard Personal Allowance, with nothing else affecting it. |
The number is your allowance divided by 10 (with the last digit dropped), so 1257 means £12,570. If you think your code is wrong, tell HMRC, because only they can change it.
What the letters mean
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1257L | The standard code: the Personal Allowance of £12,570. |
| M | You receive Marriage Allowance from your partner. |
| N | You have given part of your allowance to your partner. |
| T | Your allowance includes other calculations. |
| BR | All pay taxed at the basic rate of 20%. Often a second job. |
| D0 / D1 | All pay taxed at 40% / 45%. |
| 0T | No allowance, so all pay is taxed at the normal bands. |
| NT | No tax is taken. |
| K | You owe more than your allowance covers, so extra is added to your pay before tax. |
| S / C | Prefix for Scottish / Welsh taxpayers. |
| W1 / M1 / X | Emergency code: tax worked out on this payment only. |
How the number works
The number is your tax-free allowance divided by 10, with the last figure dropped. So 1257L means £12,570 of tax-free pay across the year. A smaller number means less is tax-free.
If your code looks wrong
HMRC sets your tax code, so tell them if it is wrong, using your personal tax account or by phone. They usually correct it by sending your employer a new one. Common reasons for a different code include a second job, company benefits such as a car, unpaid tax from earlier years, or a change in your Marriage Allowance. Read our guide to what a tax code is.
Sources: GOV.UK: Tax codes. Figures last checked on 8 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1257L mean?
It is the standard tax code for 2026/27. It means you get the Personal Allowance of £12,570 tax-free each year.
What does the BR tax code mean?
All your pay from that job is taxed at 20% with no allowance. It is usually used for a second job or a pension.
What is an emergency tax code?
A code ending in W1, M1 or X. Tax is worked out on each payment on its own, so you may overpay until HMRC gives your employer the right code, after which you get a refund.
How do I change my tax code?
Contact HMRC through your personal tax account or by phone. You cannot change it yourself or through your employer.
More from UK Answers
Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year from official sources and are estimates for guidance only, not financial or legal advice. Printed from ukanswers.co.uk.