In-Hand to CTC Calculator
Work backwards: tell us how much you want in your bank account, and we solve for the smallest CTC that delivers it after tax, PF and gratuity (FY 2026-27, best regime auto-picked), plus the number to actually quote in negotiation.
CTC you need to ask for
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| Required annual CTC | — |
| Monthly in-hand you'd get | — |
| Annual income tax | — |
| Your PF contribution / year | — |
| Quote this in negotiation | — |
Assumes a standard structure (50% basic, PF + gratuity inside CTC, Maharashtra professional tax, best tax regime auto-picked). The negotiation quote adds a 10% buffer. Fine-tune the exact structure in the in-hand salary calculator.
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Full FY 2026-27 tax breakdown, New vs Old regime side by side, where every ₹100 of your CTC goes, and savings recommendations, as a designed PDF.
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Negotiate backwards from the number that matters
Every salary negotiation happens in the wrong currency. HR talks CTC; your rent, EMIs and SIPs happen in monthly in-hand rupees. The honest way to set your ask is to start from the in-hand figure your life actually needs, then work backwards through tax, your PF contribution, and the employer PF + gratuity that sit inside the CTC but never reach you. That reverse calculation is what this tool does. It finds the smallest CTC whose take-home meets your target, so you know your true walk-away number.
Two traps to watch. First, the ₹12.75 lakh cliff: under the new regime the Section 87A rebate makes tax zero up to that gross, then vanishes entirely, so a slightly higher target in-hand can suddenly demand a much higher CTC. Second, variable pay: a "₹20 LPA" offer with 20% variable guarantees only ₹16 LPA of fixed pay, so anchor your ask on the fixed CTC this tool returns and quote the buffered number, not your bare minimum.
Frequently asked questions
How much CTC do I need for ₹1 lakh in-hand per month?
Roughly ₹15 lakh CTC with a standard structure (50% basic, PF and gratuity inside CTC, new regime), closer to ₹16.5 lakh once you add a negotiation buffer. The exact number depends on your salary structure, which this calculator solves precisely for the amount you enter.
Why is the required CTC so much higher than my target in-hand?
Three things never reach your bank account: employer PF and gratuity (typically 3–5% of CTC, deducted before gross), your own PF contribution, and income tax. Past ₹12.75L gross the Section 87A rebate disappears, so every extra rupee is also taxed at your top slab. The gap between CTC and in-hand widens as you earn more.
Should I negotiate on CTC or in-hand salary?
Anchor the conversation on in-hand (or at least fixed pay). Recruiters quote CTC because it is the biggest number, but two offers with identical CTC can differ by ₹10,000+ per month. State your target as "I need ₹X per month in hand" and let HR translate it to CTC, then verify their math here.
How much buffer should I add when quoting a number to HR?
Quote 10–15% above the CTC you actually need. Most companies counter below your ask, and variable pay, ESOPs or a lower basic % can quietly shave your in-hand. The calculator shows a suggested ask with a 10% buffer, rounded to a clean number.
Does variable pay count towards my in-hand salary?
Only if it is actually paid out, and it is usually paid quarterly or annually, not monthly, and often at 70–90% of target. Treat variable as a bonus on top, not part of your monthly in-hand. If an offer has a big variable component, ask for the CTC this calculator gives you on your fixed pay alone, then let the variable be upside.