UK finance jargon - in plain English
Free UK finance calculators. Plain English results, full breakdown.
All figures on this page are illustrative estimates for educational purposes only. They are not financial advice. Rates, thresholds, and rules change over time. Always verify with an official source or qualified professional before making financial decisions.
England and Northern Ireland, 2025/26 rates
This is an estimate based on England and Northern Ireland rates effective from April 2025. Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT) — rates and thresholds differ. Always verify your liability at gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax or with a solicitor before completing a purchase.
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 2026/27 rates
This is an estimate based on 2026/27 rates for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Assumes the standard Personal Allowance (£12,570), no pension contributions, no student loan repayments, and no other deductions. Scotland uses different income tax bands. Your actual take-home pay will depend on your tax code and individual circumstances. For a precise figure use HMRC's income tax estimator at gov.uk.
Repayment mortgages only
This is an illustrative estimate for repayment mortgages only. It does not account for arrangement fees, valuation fees, insurance, early repayment charges, or future rate changes. Your actual monthly payments will depend on the lender's specific terms. Always get a personalised illustration from a mortgage lender or qualified broker before making any decisions.
Uses AER, compounds monthly
This is an illustrative estimate. It treats your rate as AER and compounds monthly to reach that annual figure. It does not account for tax on interest, platform or fund fees, inflation, or changes to interest rates over time. Returns shown are not guaranteed. The value of investments can fall as well as rise.
A simple framework for splitting your take-home pay
Based on the 50/30/20 framework popularised by Elizabeth Warren. Treat these figures as a starting point only. The right split depends on your income, location, family situation, and financial goals. This is not personalised financial advice.
2026/27 thresholds, Plans 1, 2, 4, 5 and Postgraduate
This is an estimate for a single student loan plan. Repayments are 9% of income above the threshold for Plans 1, 2, 4 and 5, and 6% for Postgraduate loans. Actual repayments can differ if you are paid weekly/monthly, receive bonuses, have more than one job, are self-employed, or repay more than one loan plan. Based on 2026/27 thresholds. If your salary is below the threshold your repayment is £0. Check gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan for your exact plan details.
Hire purchase — you own the car at the end
This is an illustrative estimate only. It does not include arrangement fees, optional payment protection insurance, or any other charges that may apply. The actual total cost of credit will be shown in your finance agreement, which is regulated under the Consumer Credit Act. Always check the Representative APR and total amount payable before signing. If you are unsure, seek independent financial advice.
See your utilisation rate and what to pay down to hit 30%
Credit utilisation is calculated across all your credit cards combined. Staying below 30% is generally considered healthy. Below 10% is better still. These figures are illustrative — scoring models vary between Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion and are not publicly disclosed.
Loan-to-value ratio for buyers and existing homeowners
LTV brackets typically sit at 60%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95%. Lower LTV generally means better mortgage rates. Lenders set their own rate tiers and criteria — this is an illustrative guide only. Always get a personalised illustration from a lender or broker.
How much time and interest does overpaying save?
This is an illustrative estimate. It assumes your interest rate stays constant for the full term and that your lender allows overpayments without early repayment charges. Many lenders cap penalty-free overpayments at 10% of the outstanding balance per year. Check your mortgage terms before overpaying.
Simulated month by month, since the payment shrinks with the balance
Your minimum payment is calculated on the balance after that month's interest is added, matching how most card statements work. This assumes no new spending on the card, no fees, and an interest rate that stays constant. Minimum repayment terms vary by provider, so treat this as a guide rather than an exact figure.