Mortgage calculator: how much you can borrow? Today the "perfect" borrower - high income, large deposit, squeaky clean credit score, with very limited outgoings and no children - could borrow up to five and a quarter times their income. However this is clearly not the situation for the majority of borrowers. Typically, borrowers with a decent deposit of 20pc, a good credit history and a reasonable level of expenses can expect to take out a mortgage of around four times their income. This includes households with children, although expenses like childcare costs will be taken into account. Lenders will increase the income multiple for stronger candidates and decrease it for those with a lower income or higher expenses. Our mortgage calculator will give you an idea of how much you could borrow based on your household income. In the past, lenders have lowered the income multiple for households with two incomes. So while a single earner making £50,000 may have been offered a mortgage worth four times their income, or £200,000, a couple with one earner making £30,000 and one earning £20,000 might be offered just three and a half times their income, or £175,000. This rarely happens now, although bear in mind that where two incomes are combined, both sets of expenses will be analysed. David Hollingworth, of London & Country Mortgages, the broker, said: "There is no one-size-fits-all approach to calculating the size of a borrowers" mortgage, but typically mortgages tend to run at around four times income. If you are looking to secure a mortgage pay close attention not just to your credit score but also your outgoings and consider cutting back on any extra expenses you don't need. Have you had trouble securing a mortgage or been offered a smaller loan than you expected? Contact us at nicole.blackmore@telegraph.co.uk Tables: mortgage best buys Mortgage calculator: How much can I borrow? Sign up to our weekly newsletter for all the latest mortgage news