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This is a planning tool, not a mortgage offer. Actual minimum deposits, available rates and lending decisions depend on the lender, your credit profile and the property itself. Already have a price and deposit in mind? Try the Mortgage Calculator for monthly repayments, or the Mortgage Affordability Calculator for how much you could borrow.

Mortgage Deposit Calculator

Work out your deposit, loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, and how long it could take to save for a deposit.

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Enter an amount between £0.01 and £10,000,000.
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Include savings, gifted deposits or equity from a property sale. Enter an amount between £0 and the property price.
Loan-to-Value (LTV)

Deposit Needed at Common LTV Tiers

How this calculator works: “Deposit & LTV” divides your loan amount by the property price to give your loan-to-value ratio, and shows the deposit needed at common LTV tiers for the same property price. “Savings Timeline” projects your savings forward month by month, adding your monthly contribution and any interest, until you reach your target deposit. This is an estimate using monthly compounding — actual interest depends on your savings account’s terms, rate and when interest is calculated. Lower LTV tiers generally unlock better interest rates from lenders, since less risk is involved — but actual rates, minimum deposits and eligibility depend on the lender. For stamp duty on top of your deposit, see the Stamp Duty Calculator, and for overall moving costs, see the House Moving Cost Calculator.

Mortgage Deposit Calculator

This Mortgage Deposit Calculator helps you understand two things: how your deposit affects your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for a property you’re considering, and how long it could take to save for a deposit based on your current savings and monthly contributions.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Choose a mode. Use “Deposit & LTV” if you know a property price and want to see your LTV ratio, or “Savings Timeline” if you want to know how long it will take to save a target deposit.
  2. For Deposit & LTV, enter the property price and your deposit amount (savings, gifted funds or equity from a sale). The calculator shows your LTV, loan amount, and a table of deposits needed at common LTV tiers for that same property price.
  3. For Savings Timeline, enter your target deposit, current savings, monthly savings amount and (optionally) your savings account’s interest rate. The calculator estimates how many months it will take to reach your goal.
  4. Click Calculate to see your results.

What Is Loan-to-Value (LTV)?

Loan-to-value is the size of your mortgage loan expressed as a percentage of the property’s price. A smaller deposit means a higher LTV — you’re borrowing a larger share of the property’s value — while a bigger deposit means a lower LTV. For example, a £28,000 deposit on a £280,000 property is a 10% deposit, giving a 90% LTV, since you’d need to borrow the remaining 90% of the price.

Why Does LTV Matter?

Lenders generally see a lower LTV as lower risk, since you have more equity in the property from the outset. This means lower-LTV mortgages often come with more competitive interest rates than high-LTV deals, and some of the most competitive rates are reserved for borrowers with 40% deposits or more (60% LTV or below). LTV tiers commonly referenced in the UK mortgage market include 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75% and 60% — crossing below one of these thresholds can sometimes unlock a meaningfully better rate. Exact tiers, rates and minimum deposits vary by lender, so always compare current deals or speak to a mortgage broker for up-to-date figures.

How Much Deposit Do I Need?

Many mortgages are available with a minimum deposit of 5% (95% LTV), although some 100% mortgages and specific schemes may allow a smaller cash deposit. Availability and eligibility vary by lender. Many first-time buyers aim for a 10% or 15% deposit for a wider choice of deals, while a 20%+ deposit often opens up more competitive rates. There’s no single “right” deposit size — it depends on how much you can save, what you’re comfortable borrowing, and the deals available when you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good deposit percentage for a mortgage?

There’s no fixed “good” percentage — it depends on your circumstances and the deals available. A 5% deposit (95% LTV) is commonly available, although some 100% mortgages and specific schemes may allow a smaller cash deposit. A 10–15% deposit can widen your choice of lenders, while a 20%+ deposit can sometimes unlock more competitive rates.

What’s the minimum deposit for a mortgage in the UK?

Many lenders offer mortgages with a minimum 5% deposit (95% LTV), though availability and rates vary, and not all lenders offer these products. Some schemes exist to support smaller deposits in specific circumstances. Always check current lender criteria, since minimum deposit requirements can change.

How is loan-to-value (LTV) calculated?

LTV is calculated as your loan amount divided by the property price, multiplied by 100. For example, if you buy a £280,000 property with a £28,000 deposit, your loan amount is £252,000, giving an LTV of £252,000 ÷ £280,000 × 100 = 90%.

Does a bigger deposit always mean a better mortgage rate?

Generally, a lower LTV (bigger deposit) gives you access to more competitive rates, since lenders see it as lower risk. However, the exact rates available depend on the lender, the specific mortgage product, your credit history and wider market conditions — a bigger deposit improves your options but doesn’t guarantee a specific rate.

Can I use a gifted deposit?

Many lenders accept deposits gifted by family members, though they’ll usually require a signed letter confirming the money is a genuine gift and not a loan that needs repaying. Rules vary by lender, so check with your mortgage provider or broker about their specific requirements.

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