Business Loan Calculator — the United Kingdom 2026-27
Estimate UK business loan repayments with GBP principal, interest rate, term, arrangement fees, monthly fees, and total cost.
Borrowing for your business? See what it will cost.
United Kingdom Business Loan Notes
UK business loans may include arrangement fees, personal guarantees, security requirements, fixed or variable rates, and monthly account charges.
Use the GBP version to compare monthly repayment, total interest, fee drag, and whether the borrowing suits working capital, equipment, or expansion.
This page uses UK arrangement-fee and GBP repayment language rather than Australian establishment-fee or US origination-fee wording.
UK-specific treatment for business loan: figures are framed in pounds, with British household or business wording and the assumptions commonly seen in PAYE, HMRC, mortgage, pension, and consumer-credit contexts.
Watch for UK markers in the page copy and inputs: HMRC, PAYE, National Insurance, pension contributions, stamp duty land tax, miles, APR, part-exchange, council tax, VAT, and GBP-based totals.
The result should be read as a United Kingdom estimate, so compare it with UK provider quotes, HMRC or GOV.UK guidance, lender affordability rules, devolved-nation differences, or regulated advice where needed.
Uses standard P+I amortisation formula. Interest is 100% tax-deductible for business use. Not financial or tax advice.
Select the question that matches where you are right now.
Your result shows the true cost of the loan — monthly repayment, total interest over the full term, and the effective APR including fees. The amortisation chart in Standard mode shows how the interest/principal split changes each year.
In the early years, most of each repayment is interest — very little principal is repaid. This is why the tax deduction is largest in Year 1 and shrinks each year. The amortisation chart shows this visually: the interest bar (red) is tall in Year 1 and small by the final year.
A long loan term at a low rate can cost more total interest than a short term at a higher rate. A £100,000 loan at 7% over 10 years costs £39,330 in interest. The same loan at 9% over 5 years costs £24,550 — about £14,800 less, despite the higher headline rate. Always compare total interest, not just the monthly payment or the rate.
The APR folds arrangement and ongoing fees into a single effective annual rate. A loan with a 7% headline rate and £3,000 in fees can carry a higher APR than an 8% loan with no fees. UK lenders quote a representative APR on consumer and small-business credit — compare APRs, not headline rates, side by side.
Business loan interest is 100% tax-deductible — this significantly reduces your true borrowing cost. Use Detailed mode to enter your tax rate and see the net interest cost after deductions.
The interest portion of each repayment reduces your taxable profit. For a company paying the 25% Corporation Tax main rate, every £1 of interest costs only £0.75 after the deduction — for a company on the 19% small profits rate it costs £0.81. For a sole trader paying the 45% additional rate, £1 of interest costs £0.55 net. Companies claim it in the accounting period the interest is incurred; sole traders claim it in the Self Assessment tax year.
Only the interest component is deductible — not the principal repayment. In the early months of the loan, the interest component is large. By the final months, it is very small. This is why early repayment can reduce your total tax deductions slightly — though the interest saved almost always outweighs this.
If the loan funds an asset purchase (equipment, vehicle), you may also be able to claim the Annual Investment Allowance — immediately deducting the full asset cost in Year 1, up to £1,000,000 of qualifying plant and machinery a year. This is a separate and additional deduction to the interest deduction, and it is open to sole traders, partnerships of individuals and companies. The combined benefit of Annual Investment Allowance plus interest deduction in Year 1 can be very significant for equipment finance.
The three most effective ways to reduce the total cost of a business loan.
Even small additional repayments dramatically reduce total interest. An extra £500/month on a £100,000 loan at 8.5% over five years clears it about 13 months early and saves roughly £5,500 in interest. Use Detailed mode to calculate your exact savings. Check your loan allows extra repayments without penalty.
The rate you are offered is not always the best available. Use a broker to access 20–40 lenders. Offer more security if possible — property security typically reduces rates by 1–4% compared to unsecured loans. If you have been with your bank for years and have a good track record, ask directly for a better rate — they often oblige rather than lose the relationship.
Shorter term = lower total interest but higher monthly repayments. Longer term = lower monthly repayments but much more total interest. Optimise for the shortest term you can comfortably service — add buffer for business slowdowns. For most SMEs, 3–5 years is the sweet spot for business loans under £500,000.
Before applying, these steps will maximise your chances of approval at the best rate.
Lenders assess Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR = annual net profit ÷ annual loan repayments). Most require 1.25–1.5× minimum. Calculate your DSCR before applying — if it is below 1.25×, either reduce the loan amount, extend the term, or increase profitability before applying.
Commercial finance brokers access 20–40 lenders simultaneously and negotiate on your behalf. For loans above £100,000, brokers are almost always worth using. Their fee is typically paid by the lender (commission), not you. Ask for a finance broker who specialises in SME lending, not just mortgage broking.
Any outstanding HMRC debt is a major red flag for lenders. Clear or arrange a payment plan for any tax debts before applying. Lenders check HMRC portals directly. Also ensure your VAT and PAYE returns are up to date — a backlog of unfiled HMRC returns can be as problematic as an actual debt.
The repayment formula, effective APR, and how to use the results
The repayment formula
Monthly repayment = P × [r(1+r)ⁿ] ÷ [(1+r)ⁿ−1]
Where P = loan amount, r = monthly interest rate (annual rate ÷ 12), n = total number of months.
Example
£100,000 at 8.5% over 60 months: r = 8.5%/12 = 0.708%/month. Monthly repayment = £100,000 × [0.00708 × (1.00708)⁶⁰] ÷ [(1.00708)⁶⁰−1] = £2,052/month. Total repaid: £123,099. Total interest: £23,099.
APR including fees
The APR folds arrangement and ongoing fees into a single effective annual rate. Always compare APRs rather than headline rates — a 7% loan with £3,000 in fees may be more expensive than an 8% loan with no fees. This calculator approximates the effective APR from the total cost of the facility.
| Loan amount | Rate | Term | Monthly | Total interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £50,000 | 8.5% | 3 yr | £1,578 | £6,822 |
| £100,000 | 8.5% | 5 yr | £2,052 | £23,099 |
| £250,000 | 9% | 7 yr | £4,022 | £87,871 |
| £500,000 | 8% | 10 yr | £6,066 | £227,966 |
Term loans, equipment finance, lines of credit, and unsecured loans
| Loan type | Typical rate 2026-27 | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Secured term loan (bank) | 7%–11% per year | Expansion, property, large capex |
| Unsecured business loan | 12%–25%+ per year | Fast cash, no security available |
| Equipment finance | 5%–9% per year | Vehicles, machinery, technology |
| Line of credit/overdraft | 8%–15% per year | Working capital, seasonal needs |
| Invoice finance | 1%–3%/month | Unlocking debtor cash |
| Growth Guarantee Scheme facility | Set by the lender | British Business Bank 70% guarantee, facilities up to £2m |
Major bank vs fintech lenders
Major banks (Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC and NatWest) offer the lowest rates but require more documentation, longer approval times (2–6 weeks), and often require property security. Alternative and fintech lenders (Funding Circle, iwoca, Capify, Fleximize) approve faster (24–72 hours) and require less security, but charge significantly higher rates. For large amounts or long terms, the interest cost difference is substantial — a £200,000 loan at 9% vs 18% over 5 years costs an extra £55,600 in interest.
The Growth Guarantee Scheme
The Growth Guarantee Scheme is the British Business Bank's successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme. It gives the lender a 70% government-backed guarantee on facilities of generally up to £2m, which can unlock credit a lender would otherwise decline — but you still repay the full amount, and the guarantee is to the lender, not to you. Apply through an accredited lender rather than the government; the scheme runs to 31 March 2030.
DSCR requirements
Most lenders require a Debt Service Coverage Ratio of at least 1.25–1.5× for business loans. DSCR = annual net profit ÷ annual loan repayments. For a £100,000 loan at £2,052/month (£24,620/year), you need net profit of at least £30,775–£36,930/year (1.25–1.5× cover).
Claiming interest, Annual Investment Allowance, and maximising your tax benefit
What is deductible
Interest payments on business loans are 100% tax-deductible for sole traders, partnerships and companies, provided the loan is used for income-producing business purposes. The principal repayment is NOT deductible — only the interest component of each payment reduces your taxable profit.
Corporation Tax: which rate applies
Corporation Tax has a main rate of 25% on profits over £250,000 and a small profits rate of 19% on profits of £50,000 or less, with Marginal Relief tapering the effective rate between the two limits. Both limits are reduced proportionately for short accounting periods and for the number of associated companies. The deduction is worth 25p in the pound at the main rate and 19p at the small profits rate.
How the deduction decreases over time
For a £100,000 loan at 8.5% over five years, Year 1 interest is about £7,857 — a deduction worth £1,964 at the 25% main rate. By Year 5, interest is only £1,097 for that year. The tax benefit is front-loaded in a P+I loan.
| Year | Interest paid | Tax deduction (25% main rate) | Net interest cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £7,857 | £1,964 | £5,893 |
| Year 2 | £6,375 | £1,594 | £4,781 |
| Year 3 | £4,763 | £1,191 | £3,572 |
| Year 5 | £1,097 | £274 | £823 |
Annual Investment Allowance (separate benefit)
If the loan funds the purchase of qualifying plant and machinery (equipment, vehicle, technology), the business can claim the full purchase cost as an immediate deduction under the Annual Investment Allowance — up to £1,000,000 a year, and separate from the interest deduction. The AIA is available to sole traders, partnerships whose members are all individuals, and companies.
What lenders assess, documentation needed, and tips for approval
What lenders assess
- DSCR: Net profit ÷ annual loan repayments — need 1.25–1.5× minimum
- Trading history: Most banks require 2+ years; fintechs 6–12 months
- Revenue: Minimum £100k–£250k annual turnover for most secured loans
- Credit history: Business and personal credit checked
- Security: Property significantly improves approval and reduces rate
- HMRC compliance: No outstanding tax debts — lenders check via HMRC portal
Documents typically required
- 2 years of business financial statements (P&L, balance sheet)
- 2 years of business tax returns
- 6–12 months of business bank statements
- Recent VAT returns (last 4 quarters)
- Personal ID and personal financial statements
- Purpose of loan documentation
Using a broker
A commercial finance broker can access 20–40 lenders simultaneously and often negotiates better rates and terms than going direct. Broker fees are typically paid by the lender (commission). For loans above £100,000, using a broker is almost always worthwhile.
Frequently asked Frequently asked questions
What is the typical business loan interest rate in United Kingdom 2026-27?
In 2026-27, secured business loan rates from major banks range from approximately 7%–11% per year. Unsecured loans from alternative and fintech lenders typically charge 12%–25%+ per year. Equipment finance rates are often 5%–9% per year because the asset provides security. The rate you receive depends on your credit history, business revenue, trading history, and the security you can offer.
Is business loan interest tax-deductible in the United Kingdom?
Yes — interest on business loans is 100% tax-deductible for sole traders, partnerships and companies, provided the funds are used for income-producing business purposes. A company deducts it against profits charged at the 25% Corporation Tax main rate or the 19% small profits rate; a sole trader deducts it against trading profit. The principal repayment is not deductible. Keep loan agreements and documentation showing the business purpose. The interest deduction is largest in the early years of the loan when the interest component is highest.
How do I calculate business loan repayments?
Monthly repayment = P × [r(1+r)ⁿ] ÷ [(1+r)ⁿ−1], where P = principal, r = monthly rate (annual rate ÷ 12), n = total months. For £100,000 at 8.5% over 60 months: £2,052/month. Total interest over the life of the loan: £23,099. This calculator does this automatically — enter your figures above.
Can a sole trader get a business loan in the United Kingdom?
Yes — sole traders with a UTR can apply for business loans. Most lenders require 12–24 months of trading history, business bank statements, Self Assessment tax returns, and VAT returns where applicable. Amounts up to £150,000 are often available unsecured for established sole traders. For larger amounts or lower rates, property security is usually required.
Where these figures come from
Business figures on this page are drawn from HM Revenue & Customs (corporation tax, VAT, PAYE), Companies House (company registrations), and GOV.UK (statutory employer and business obligations).
- Corporation Tax rates — GOV.UK — Corporation Tax rates and reliefs: 25% main rate above £250,000 of profit, 19% small profits rate at or below £50,000, Marginal Relief in between.
- Annual Investment Allowance (£1,000,000) — GOV.UK — Capital allowances: Annual Investment Allowance.
- Growth Guarantee Scheme — British Business Bank — Growth Guarantee Scheme.
- VAT rates (standard 20%) — GOV.UK — VAT rates.
- PAYE & employer obligations — GOV.UK — PAYE and payroll for employers.
- Company registration & filing — Companies House — GOV.UK.
- Business rates — GOV.UK — Business rates.
Last checked: July 2026. Rates and thresholds are reviewed against the source of record each November, when annual adjustments for the following tax year are published.