Buy a home · UK
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
See how much you could borrow for a mortgage based on your income and outgoings, the property price it reaches once you add your deposit, and what the monthly repayment might look like.
An illustrative guide based on common income multiples, not a mortgage offer. Lenders run their own affordability and stress tests, so the figure they give can be higher or lower.
- Max borrowing
- £180,000
- Max property price
- £205,000
- Loan-to-value
- 88%
- Indicative monthly
- £1,052
The monthly figure is an estimate at 5% over 25 years. See the exact cost at your own rate and term with the mortgage repayment calculator.
How mortgage affordability works
Lenders start with a multiple of your income, commonly around 4.5 times, to set a ceiling on what they will lend. They then look at your committed outgoings and run an affordability check to make sure the payments are comfortable, even if rates rise. Your deposit is separate: it adds to the loan to set the price you can actually reach, and a bigger deposit means a lower loan-to-value and usually a better rate.
This calculator gives you the income-multiple ceiling and the price it reaches with your deposit. To see which rate band that deposit puts you in, use the loan-to-value calculator.
Common questions
How much can I borrow for a mortgage?
Most lenders cap borrowing at around 4 to 4.5 times your annual income, and some go to 5 times or a little more for higher earners. So someone earning £40,000 might borrow about £180,000 at 4.5 times. Your deposit then sits on top to set the price you can reach.
What income multiple do lenders use?
Around 4.5 times income is the common benchmark, but it is not a fixed rule. The exact multiple depends on the lender, your income, your outgoings and the type of mortgage. This calculator lets you try 4, 4.5 and 5 times to see the range.
What counts as income?
Usually your gross salary, plus a share of regular extras like a reliable bonus, overtime or commission. The self-employed are typically assessed on profits over the last two or three years. On a joint application both incomes count, which is why couples can often borrow more.
How do debts and outgoings affect what I can borrow?
Lenders look at your committed outgoings, such as loan and credit card payments, car finance and childcare, and reduce what they will lend accordingly. Clearing or lowering those commitments before you apply can lift the amount you are offered.
How big a deposit do I need?
Most lenders want at least 5% to 10% of the price, and a bigger deposit opens up cheaper rates because it lowers your loan-to-value. The deposit also adds to your borrowing to set the total price you can reach. See the loan-to-value calculator for how the bands work.
What is a mortgage stress test?
Lenders check that you could still afford the payments if interest rates rose, by testing your finances against a higher rate than the one you are taking. It is one reason the amount a lender offers can come out lower than a simple income multiple suggests.
About this calculator
Income multiples are common lender practice rather than a statutory figure, so there is no fixed rate to quote; we checked the general approach against MoneyHelper and UK lender guidance. The figures here are an estimate to help you plan, not a mortgage offer or financial advice, and a real lender assessing your circumstances may offer more or less. Last updated June 2026.