How much can my business borrow?

Estimate how much a UK business might borrow from turnover, profit and existing repayments — a planning range, not a credit decision.

This free UK business borrowing capacity calculator estimates how much a limited company might borrow using turnover multiples and affordability from net profit, minus existing monthly repayments. It suggests product types based on security you hold and links to repayment and tax spread calculators — illustrative only, not an offer of finance.

Guide

What this borrowing calculator estimates

This calculator estimates an illustrative UK business borrowing range. It combines a turnover-based ceiling with an affordability cap from net profit after existing monthly repayments. The range shown is the lower of those constraints — not an offer, credit decision or guaranteed amount.

Inputs include annual turnover, net profit, existing monthly finance repayments, trading-history band, a representative APR and term. Security selections guide which products to explore; they do not change the headline range in this version.

For how lenders may assess borrowing capacity — turnover, cash flow, commitments, credit and security — read how much a business can borrow. This page stays on calculation intent.

Why estimate borrowing capacity before you apply?

Applying blind for 'as much as possible' wastes time when the amount, term or product does not fit how lenders underwrite UK SMEs. A sensible range helps you plan purchases, cash flow and which route to explore — unsecured term loan, secured borrowing, asset finance or tax bill spreading.

The turnover ceiling uses a lower high-cap for businesses trading under two years. Affordability takes a share of monthly net profit after existing commitments, then calculates the maximum loan that payment could support at your chosen representative APR and term.

How the maths works

Turnover range applies a low and high percentage to your annual revenue. Businesses trading five years or more use a 10%–25% band; under two years uses a 15% high cap instead of 25%. Affordability takes 35% of monthly net profit minus existing monthly repayments, then calculates the maximum loan that payment could support at your chosen representative APR and term.

The displayed range runs from the turnover low to the lesser of turnover high and affordability cap. Security selections do not change the range in this version — they filter product suggestions such as business loans, commercial mortgages or asset finance.

What to do with your range

If the range looks workable, use the business loan repayment calculator to compare term loan, revolving credit and MCA total cost of credit on your target amount. If the pressure is a VAT or corporation tax bill rather than general borrowing, try the tax bill spreader to model monthly cost versus paying HMRC in one lump sum.

When you are ready for a real figure, Tera compares options from our lender panel — no broker fee to you. Edit the assumptions above to mirror your management accounts and share the URL with your accountant or co-director.

For a fuller explanation of how lenders assess borrowing limits — not just a numeric estimate — read our guide to how much a business can borrow.

Common questions

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