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VAT Checker UK

Validate a UK VAT number’s format and (where applicable) its checksum. Supports GB/XI numeric VAT numbers (9 or 12 digits) and special GD/HA references. This tool does not confirm live registration status with HMRC—it's an offline validity check.

Category: Finance · URL: /tools/vat-checker-uk.html
Privacy: runs locally in your browser. No uploads, no tracking scripts.

How to use

Paste a VAT number (with or without spaces/prefix) and click Check.

  1. Enter a VAT number like GB999999973, 123456782, XI123456782, GD499, or HA500.
  2. Click Check to validate format + checksum (numeric VATs) or range rules (GD/HA).
  3. Use Format to get a clean, standardized version you can copy.
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Secondary intents covered: Check whether a UK VAT number has a valid checksum, Normalize a VAT number into a consistent GB/XI format, Identify whether the input is GB/XI numeric vs GD/HA special type, Validate 12-digit UK VAT numbers (branch traders) by checking the first 9 digits, Spot common input errors (wrong length, non-digits, wrong prefix), Copy a clean, formatted VAT number for invoices or onboarding forms, Quickly sanity-check vendor/customer VAT details before processing

FAQ

Does this UK VAT checker confirm a business is VAT-registered with HMRC?

No. This tool only checks format and checksum (offline). Registration status needs an official online lookup.

What UK VAT formats does this tool accept?

GB/XI numeric VAT numbers with 9 digits (standard) or 12 digits (branch), plus GD/HA special references (3 digits after the prefix).

Can I paste a VAT number with spaces or punctuation?

Yes. Spaces, dots, and hyphens are ignored during parsing.

How are 12-digit UK VAT numbers validated?

The checksum is checked against the first 9 digits; the last 3 digits are treated as a branch identifier.

What’s the difference between GB and XI prefixes?

GB is Great Britain; XI is used for Northern Ireland in certain VAT contexts. This tool validates the numeric structure the same way.

What are GD and HA VAT numbers?

They are special UK VAT reference types: GD is typically 000–499 and HA is 500–999 (range check only, no checksum).

My number passes checksum—can it still be wrong?

Yes. A checksum match doesn’t guarantee the number is currently issued, active, or belongs to a specific company.