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Business Mileage Claim Calculator
55p a mile adds up faster than you think. Most sole traders under-claim because they never total it up. Work out what you're actually owed under HMRC's approved rates — and what it saves you in tax.
Your vehicle
HMRC approved mileage rates, 2026/27 — cars/vans rose from 45p to 55p per mile (first 10,000 miles) from 6 April 2026, the first increase since 2011/12. Check gov.uk for the current figures.
Your marginal tax rate — the rate you pay on your top slice of profit
The claim is what comes off your taxable profit. The tax saved is what actually stays in your pocket — the claim × your tax rate (plus NI if ticked).
Important — read before you claim
- This is the simplified/flat-rate mileage method. If you use it for a vehicle, you can't also claim fuel, insurance, MOT, repairs, servicing or capital allowances for that same vehicle — the flat rate is meant to cover all of it.
- Once you choose a method (mileage rate vs actual costs) for a particular vehicle, you generally have to stick with it for as long as you use that vehicle in the business.
- Commuting from home to a regular, permanent workplace doesn't count as business mileage. Travel between jobs, to suppliers, or to a temporary workplace does.
- Keep a mileage log as you go — date, from, to, purpose, miles. HMRC can ask to see it, and a log built after the fact from memory is much weaker evidence.
Mileage log template
Copy this header row into Notes, a spreadsheet, or your accounting app, then log every trip as you go. Free to use — no sign-up.
Who this is for
Sole traders and self-employed people who use their own car, van, motorcycle or bicycle for work journeys — tradespeople driving between jobs, mobile services, anyone who doesn't have a company vehicle. If you've never sat down and totalled up a year's worth of business miles, you're very likely under-claiming.
What actually counts as business miles for a trade?
Travel between jobs, to suppliers or the builders' merchant, to a client's premises, or to a temporary site all count. What doesn't count is your regular commute — if you work from a fixed base or travel to the same site for an extended period, that's treated like commuting, not business travel. When in doubt, the test is whether the journey is necessary for the job rather than just getting you to where you normally work.
I've got a van — should I use mileage or actual costs?
Many van-using sole traders find that claiming actual running costs (fuel, insurance, servicing, repairs, finance interest, a business-use percentage of the purchase or lease) works out better than the flat mileage rate, especially on an older or heavier van with high running costs. This calculator only covers the simplified mileage method — if you're a heavy van user, run the numbers both ways with our HMRC Rate vs Actual Cost Calculator and check with your accountant before you commit to a method for that vehicle.
Do I need fuel receipts if I'm using the mileage method?
No — the whole point of the flat rate is that you don't need to keep fuel, servicing or repair receipts for that vehicle, because the rate is designed to already reflect those running costs. What you do need is a solid mileage log, since that's the only evidence behind the number you're claiming.
Please note: this tool gives a guide or estimate only. It may not be 100% accurate and is not professional advice — always check the figures before you rely on them. Rates, thresholds, allowances and rules can change without notice and may be out of date by the time you use this tool. Verify against HMRC / GOV.UK or your accountant before acting. Mileage rates and thresholds shown are 2026/27 figures (cars/vans 55p first 10,000 miles, 25p after — increased from 45p on 6 April 2026) — always check the current HMRC / gov.uk approved rates before relying on this for a submission. Anything you type here stays in your browser.
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