How to Calculate Your Net Worth
To calculate your net worth, add up everything you own and subtract everything you owe.
That single number is the clearest measure of your financial position, and it is the figure lenders,
financial advisers and the ONS all use.
Net worth = total assets minus total liabilities
A negative result is normal early in life, usually because of a mortgage or student debt.
The 6 steps
- Value your property. Use the current market value of your home and any buy-to-let, not the price you paid.
- Add cash and savings. Current accounts, savings accounts, Cash ISAs and Premium Bonds.
- Add pensions and investments. Workplace and private pension pots, Stocks and Shares ISAs, shares and funds. Pensions are the most commonly forgotten asset and often the largest one after property.
- Add other assets worth keeping track of. Cars, and anything else individually worth roughly £500 or more. Skip everyday household items.
- Total your debts. Outstanding mortgage balance, loans, car finance, credit cards and overdrafts.
- Subtract debts from assets. The result is your net worth.
What about UK student loans? Most UK financial planners leave them out.
Repayment is income-contingent, the balance is written off after 30 to 40 years, and it never affects your credit file
the way other debt does. Including it can make an otherwise healthy position look alarming. Our calculator lets you decide.
Average Net Worth by Age · UK 2026
Median and mean net worth by age group in the UK. Source: ONS Wealth and Assets Survey estimates. For the full breakdown, read our guide to the average net worth in the UK by age.
| Age Group |
Median Net Worth |
Mean Net Worth |
Main Asset |
| Under 35 | £26,000 | £68,000 | Savings/car |
| 35–44 | £98,000 | £182,000 | Property equity |
| 45–54 | £178,000 | £327,000 | Property + pension |
| 55–64 | £314,000 | £517,000 | Pension + property |
| 65–74 | £395,000 | £617,000 | Property + pension |
| 75+ | £348,000 | £541,000 | Property |
Curious where you actually rank? See your exact net worth percentile for your age band · are you top 10%, top 25%, or mid-pack?
Check my percentile →
Net Worth FAQs
How do I calculate my net worth in the UK?
Net worth = total assets minus total liabilities. Add up your property at current market value, cash and savings, pensions and investments, and other assets worth roughly £500 or more. Then total your debts: outstanding mortgage, loans, car finance, credit cards and overdrafts. Subtract the debts from the assets and the result is your net worth. A negative figure is normal early in life. Most UK planners exclude student loans because repayment is income-contingent and the balance is written off after 30 to 40 years.
What is the average net worth in the UK by age?
Based on ONS Wealth and Assets Survey estimates, UK median net worth is approximately £26,000 for under-35s, £98,000 for 35–44, £178,000 for 45–54, £314,000 for 55–64, and £395,000 for 65–74. Mean figures are higher due to wealth concentration at the top. Property equity and pension wealth dominate for most age groups above 35.
What is a good net worth at 40 in the UK?
A commonly cited benchmark is 3× your annual salary by age 40. For a £45,000 salary that is around £135,000. The UK median for 35–44 is approximately £98,000, with the mean around £182,000. Property ownership is the single biggest driver of net worth at this age · those who own a home with equity typically have significantly higher net worth than renters.
What counts as net worth UK?
Net worth = total assets minus total liabilities. Assets include property value, savings, ISAs, stocks and shares, pension value, and other valuables. Liabilities include mortgage balance, personal loans, car finance, credit card debt and student loan balance. Your pension is an asset even if it is not accessible yet · include it for a complete picture of your total wealth.
How can I increase my net worth in the UK?
The most effective strategies are: paying down high-interest debt (each £1 paid off increases net worth by £1); maximising pension contributions (employer matching is an instant return); building an emergency fund before investing; maximising your ISA allowance (£20,000/year tax-free); and investing in low-cost index funds for long-term growth. Increasing income · through career progression, side income, or a pay rise · has the biggest impact at lower net worth levels.