How this calculator works & sources ↓
How much mortgage could you afford in the UK? Enter your household income, monthly debt commitments and deposit to explore an illustrative borrowing estimate and potential house-buying budget. Adjust the income multiple to compare scenarios before you start viewing properties.
UK-only educational estimate, not a lender decision or mortgage offer. Real affordability also depends on spending, credit history, dependants, mortgage term and lender criteria.
Income multiples can help you explore borrowing scenarios, but they are not lender offers. Different lenders use different affordability checks. Adjust the multiple to see how that range changes your figure.
This is a simplified estimate based on the headline income multiple — real lenders also run a detailed affordability assessment and a rate-rise stress test that can bring the figure down further. Treat this as a starting point, not a mortgage offer.
Want to turn this into a full plan? Grab the free Budgeting Checklist — a checklist plus 3 worksheets to put these numbers to work.
Get the free checklist →These simple examples show how an illustrative 4.5× gross-income multiple and a deposit could translate into a potential property budget. They are not a prediction of what a lender will approve. Actual affordability can be lower or higher depending on lender criteria, spending, debts, credit history and the mortgage term.
| Gross annual income | Illustrative mortgage (4.5×) | Example deposit | Illustrative property budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £40,000 | £180,000 | £20,000 | £200,000 |
| £50,000 | £225,000 | £25,000 | £250,000 |
| £60,000 | £270,000 | £30,000 | £300,000 |
Example deposits are assumptions, not recommended amounts. These property budgets exclude stamp duty or other property transaction taxes, legal fees, surveys and moving costs. Income multiples are only a rough illustration and are not a published universal lending rule.
1. Monthly repayments: test different rates and terms with the mortgage repayment calculator. 2. Buying costs: estimate transaction costs using the house-buying costs calculator. 3. Actual lending criteria: compare lender assessments or speak to an authorised mortgage adviser before relying on an estimated figure.
For more detail on why a lender may offer less than a headline multiple, read how much mortgage you can actually borrow.
Wondering how much house you can afford in the UK? Start with the household income and deposit you have available, then compare an illustrative mortgage borrowing estimate with your overall house-buying budget. Actual lender affordability checks also consider spending, credit commitments and mortgage rates.
This UK mortgage affordability calculator uses your gross household income, an adjustable income multiple, existing monthly debts and deposit to illustrate a possible borrowing amount and property budget. It is a planning tool, not an eligibility assessment or a mortgage offer.
With £40,000 gross annual income and a 4.5× illustrative multiple, the starting borrowing estimate is £180,000 before any adjustment for debts. A £20,000 deposit would give a £200,000 illustrative property budget before buying costs. Your actual result depends on your inputs and the calculator’s assumptions.
Lenders can consider regular spending, dependants, credit commitments, employment, deposit size, loan term and interest-rate affordability. Different lenders can reach different decisions even with the same income.
An income multiple can illustrate a starting range, but it cannot predict an individual lender's decision. Try several multiples and compare the resulting monthly payments using the mortgage calculator.
The deposit adds to an illustrative property budget; it does not automatically increase the loan amount. Loan-to-value limits and lender affordability checks still apply.
Stamp duty where applicable, surveys, conveyancing, moving costs and other fees may reduce the amount available for a deposit. Explore the house-buying costs calculator and house-buying guide.
Figures are illustrative, not personalised financial advice. UK lending criteria and individual circumstances vary.
UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBERS
The estimate uses your entered household income, income multiple, deposit and debt information to explore a possible borrowing and property-budget range. It is not a lender decision, agreement in principle or personalised mortgage recommendation. Actual offers can differ because lenders consider expenses, credit history, mortgage terms, interest rates and their own criteria.
There is no single percentage that suits everyone. Consider take-home income, essential bills, existing debts and how repayments might change. Lenders apply their own affordability criteria.
No — it's a planning estimate. Lenders apply their own affordability checks (income verification, credit history, existing debt, stress-testing) that can produce a different figure.
Include recurring obligations like car loans, student loans, and credit card minimum payments — these reduce how much lenders will typically let you borrow.
Use gross (pre-tax) income — that's the figure most affordability guidelines and lenders base their ratios on.
A mortgage affordability estimate is a starting point, not a lending decision. Compare the borrowing illustration with the deposit you have available, your existing commitments and the monthly repayments you could face. Lenders also assess spending, credit history and their own lending criteria.
Worth reading: See illustrative mortgage figures for £40k, £50k and £60k salaries
Explore independent and official explanations alongside Life Figured’s illustrative tools.
External websites open in a new tab. Life Figured is independent and is not affiliated with, approved or endorsed by these organisations. Check current rules directly with the source.
Grab the free Budgeting Checklist below — a checklist plus 3 fill-in worksheets, delivered straight to your inbox.
Understand your mortgage budget
An income multiple is a quick way to explore a possible borrowing range, but it is not a lender's affordability assessment. Mortgage lenders can consider income stability, committed spending, dependants, existing credit, the mortgage term and how repayments could change if interest rates rise. Each lender has its own criteria.
At an illustrative 4× income multiple, £45,000 of annual gross household income gives a £180,000 borrowing illustration. Adding a £25,000 deposit produces a £205,000 illustrative property budget before purchase fees. At 4.5×, the equivalent borrowing illustration is £202,500 and the property budget £227,500. Neither figure is a promise that a lender will offer that amount.
Explore the house-buying costs calculator alongside this tool, or read the Life Figured house-buying guide for an overview of expenses beyond the deposit.
General educational information only. Figures are hypothetical and do not represent mortgage advice, lender eligibility or an offer. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Uses your income and entered assumptions to show an indicative borrowing range, not a lender decision. Actual affordability depends on lender criteria, spending, credit history and rates.
Sources and further reading: MoneyHelper mortgages