UK Answers · ukanswers.co.ukhttps://ukanswers.co.uk/guides/how-to-read-your-payslip/
How to Read Your Payslip: Every Line Explained
A payslip looks confusing, but it follows a simple pattern. Here is what each line means and what to check.
The key lines
| Line | What it means |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | What you earn before anything is taken off, including overtime and bonuses. |
| Taxable pay | The part of your pay that is subject to Income Tax. It can be lower than gross pay if you pay into a pension before tax. |
| Tax code | The code HMRC gave your employer, such as 1257L. See our tax code guide. |
| Income Tax | Tax deducted this pay period. |
| National Insurance | Your employee NI contributions, with a letter (usually A) that shows your category. |
| Pension | Your workplace pension contributions. |
| Student loan | Repayments if you earn above the threshold for your plan. |
| Net pay | What is paid into your bank account, also called take-home pay. |
| Year to date | Running totals for the tax year, which HMRC uses to work out tax on a cumulative basis. |
What to check each month
- Your tax code is what you expect, usually 1257L.
- Your hours and rate match what you worked, including overtime.
- Your pension contributions are the percentage you agreed.
- Your NI category letter is correct.
- No unexpected deductions have appeared.
Why your tax can change month to month
PAYE works out tax cumulatively across the year, so a bonus or extra hours in one month can push up the tax that month. It evens out over the year. Use our take-home pay calculator to check what your take-home pay should be, and speak to your payroll team if something looks wrong.
This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates checked 8 October 2026 against GOV.UK.
Related
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.