This loan calculator helps you estimate your monthly payment in pounds for a personal loan, car finance, or mortgage. This loan calculator UK shows the monthly amount, the total interest, and a full schedule, all on a reducing balance basis, which is how UK lenders work. In the UK, loans are compared using the APR, and lending is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), so this page explains the terms you will actually see. It is part of our loan calculators by country.
How to use the loan calculator UK
- The currency is set to GBP. You can switch it if you need another currency.
- Enter the loan amount in pounds.
- Enter the rate or APR the lender quoted and the term in years.
- Read your results: the monthly payment, the total interest, and a year by year schedule.
How loan repayments work in the UK
UK loans use a reducing balance, where interest each month is charged on the balance you still owe, so it falls as you repay. The monthly payment uses the standard formula:
Payment = P × r × (1 + r)n / ((1 + r)n − 1)
Here P is the loan amount, r is the monthly rate, and n is the number of months.
Worked example: Borrow GBP 15,000 at a 7% APR for 5 years. The monthly payment is about GBP 297, and the total interest is about GBP 2,821. Use the APR you are actually offered, since the advertised rate is not guaranteed to everyone.
Representative APR explained
This is the most important thing to understand in the UK. When a lender advertises a loan, it shows a representative APR. By law, only at least 51% of accepted customers need to get that rate, so you might be offered a higher APR depending on your credit. The APR also includes compulsory fees, not just interest, which makes it the fairest single number to compare loans. So treat the advertised rate as a guide, and always check the personal APR you are actually offered before you commit.
Mortgages in the UK
UK mortgages have a few features worth knowing:
- Fixed then variable. Many mortgages are fixed for an initial period, often 2 or 5 years, then move to the lender’s higher standard variable rate (SVR), so your payment can jump unless you remortgage.
- Tracker rates follow the Bank of England base rate plus a margin, so they rise and fall with it.
- Repayment vs interest only. A repayment mortgage clears the loan by the end, while an interest only mortgage keeps the balance and needs a separate plan to repay it.
- LTV and ERCs. A bigger deposit, meaning a lower loan to value, usually earns a better rate, and leaving a fixed deal early can trigger an early repayment charge.
This calculator models a repayment mortgage at a single rate, so for a fixed then variable deal, run it again at the higher revert rate to see the worst case.
Car finance: PCP vs HP
Most UK car finance is one of two types:
- Hire Purchase (HP): you pay the full price plus interest over the term, then own the car at the end.
- Personal Contract Purchase (PCP): lower monthly payments because you only pay off part of the value, then choose whether to pay a large optional final payment, the balloon, to keep the car. PCP usually has mileage limits.
PCP looks cheaper each month, but you do not own the car unless you make the final payment, so compare the total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Fixed vs variable rates
Personal loans and car finance are usually at a fixed rate for the term, so the payment does not change. Mortgages and some other borrowing can be variable, often linked to the Bank of England base rate, so the payment can rise or fall. If your rate is variable, run this calculator at a higher rate to see how a base rate rise would feel.
Paying off early in the UK
For most regulated personal loans you can settle early and receive a rebate on some of the interest, though a small charge may apply. Mortgages can carry an early repayment charge during a fixed deal. Either way, on a reducing balance loan, paying early saves interest, so check your agreement and see the saving with our loan prepayment calculator.
Tips for borrowers in the UK
- Compare by APR, which includes fees, not by a headline monthly figure.
- Remember the advertised APR is representative, so check your personal offer.
- Check your credit file before applying, since it affects the rate you get.
- For a car, compare PCP and HP on total cost, not just the monthly payment.
- For a mortgage, plan for the revert rate when a fixed deal ends.
Typical loan rates in the UK (2026)
UK pricing follows the Bank of England base rate, and lenders must advertise a representative APR. These 2026 figures help you judge an offer:
- Bank of England base rate: about 3.75 percent in 2026.
- Personal loans: representative APRs from around 6 percent on larger prime loans, rising for smaller or longer ones.
- Car finance: HP and PCP deals, often fixed, with PCP showing a lower monthly figure but a large final balloon payment.
- Mortgages: fixed deals commonly around 4 to 5 percent, then reverting to a higher standard variable rate.
Remember the advertised APR is only representative, so at least 51 percent of accepted customers get it and your personal offer may be higher. Compare on the APR, which includes compulsory fees.
Related tools and other countries
Plan a specific loan with our car loan, personal loan, or mortgage calculators, or build a full amortization schedule. Borrowing elsewhere? Try:
India (INR) · Pakistan (PKR) · UAE (AED) · Saudi Arabia (SAR) · Nigeria (NGN) · All countries
Authoritative source: Bank of England
Frequently asked questions
How is a loan repayment calculated in the UK?
What is representative APR?
What is the difference between PCP and HP car finance?
Are UK mortgage rates fixed or variable?
Can I repay my loan early in the UK?
Does my credit score affect my rate?
Built and maintained by Hira Fatima, BSc in Computer Science (BSCS)
Hira builds, tests, and maintains the calculators on loancalc.io and writes the guides that go with them.
How we calculate: Reducing balance uses the standard EMI formula; flat rate charges interest on the full original amount. | Last updated: October 2026
Disclaimer: This calculator gives estimates for planning only and is not financial advice. Your actual figures may differ due to fees, taxes, and lender policies. Confirm with your bank or lender before you borrow.
What is a good APR for a personal loan in the UK in 2026?
For a larger prime personal loan in the UK, a good APR in 2026 is roughly 6 to 8 percent, while smaller loans or weaker credit usually cost more, often 10 percent or above. The advertised representative APR must be offered to at least 51 percent of accepted customers, so your own offer can differ. Compare APRs on the same amount and term, and check the total cost before you apply.
Open the personal loan calculator