FinToolSuite

Interest Only vs Repayment Calculator

Updated April 17, 2026 · Mortgage · Educational use only ·

Monthly cost and end-of-term balance comparison.

Compare interest-only vs repayment mortgages on monthly payment and end-of-term balance. Enter loan amount and rate for an instant result.

What this tool does

Enter loan, rate, and term. The tool shows monthly payments and end-of-term outcomes for both mortgage types.


Enter Values

Formula Used
Principal
Annual rate
Months

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Disclaimer

Results are estimates for educational purposes only. They do not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

200,000 at 5% over 25 years: interest-only payment is 833/month with 200,000 owed at the end. Repayment is 1,169/month with 0 owed at the end. Over 25 years, repayment costs more per month but clears the debt; interest-only is cheaper monthly but leaves the full balance. Interest-only demands a clear repayment strategy (investment vehicle, property sale) at term end.

Mortgage structure comparison.

A worked example

Try the defaults: loan amount of 200,000, annual rate of 5%, term of 25. The tool returns 335.85. You can adjust any input and the result updates as you type — no submit button, no reload. That's the real power here: seeing how sensitive the output is to one or two assumptions.

What moves the number most

The result responds to Loan Amount, Annual Rate, and Term. Two inputs usually tip the answer one way or the other. Identify which ones matter most by flipping each value past a round threshold and watching whether the winning option changes.

The formula behind this

Interest-only payment = principal × monthly rate. Repayment payment = standard amortisation formula. Difference is the monthly gap. Everything the calculator does is shown in the formula box below, so you can check the math against your own spreadsheet if you want.

Stress-testing the plan

Run the calculation at your current rate, then run it again at a rate 2–3 percentage points higher. That's roughly what a product reset could bring at renewal, and it's a useful check on whether you can afford the mortgage in a higher-rate world, not just today's.

What this doesn't capture

The figure excludes arrangement fees, valuation costs, legal fees, insurance, and any early-repayment charges — those can add several thousand to the headline cost. Rate changes at renewal for fixed-term deals will shift the picture further. Use this for the core interest/principal math and add the other costs on top.

Example Scenario

Interest only vs repayment produces monthly and balance figures based on the inputs provided.

Inputs

Loan Amount:200,000 £
Annual Rate:5
Term:25 years
Expected Result£335.85

This example uses typical values for illustration. Adjust the inputs above to match a specific situation and see how the result changes.

Sources & Methodology

Methodology

Interest-only payment = principal × monthly rate. Repayment payment = standard amortisation formula. Difference is the monthly gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who uses interest-only?
Traditionally buy-to-let landlords (the rent funds repayment plans). Some owner-occupiers with high irregular income also use IO for flexibility.
Is interest-only riskier?
Depends on the repayment vehicle. If the vehicle is reliable, no. If the end-of-term plan is vague, yes — the full balance comes due.
Part-and-part mortgages?
Common compromise. Part of the loan is interest-only, part is repayment. Lower monthly than full repayment, lower end balance than full IO.
Does IO have tax advantages?
For buy-to-let in some jurisdictions, yes — mortgage interest is deductible. Rules have tightened in recently. Check your specific tax rules.

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