What if mine is negative?

It isn't a verdict. It's very common early in a working life or just after buying a home. What matters is that it's going up.

Does moving money to savings change my net worth?

No: it only changes where the money sits. Paying off a credit card doesn't either, because your balance and your debt fall by the same amount. What grows it is saving more than you spend and reducing debt.

How often should I work it out?

Once a month or once a quarter is enough, always on the same day so you can compare.

Net worth calculator

What you own minus what you owe, item by item.

The calculator needs JavaScript, which is turned off in your browser. The explanation below shows how to work it out by hand.

How it works

Your net worth is what you own minus what you owe: the money you would be left with if you sold everything and paid off all your debts. It's the figure that best sums up your finances, because it sees something your bank balance doesn't.

How to work it out by hand:

Pick a date, such as the last day of the month, and take every figure from that day.
Add up what you own: accounts and cash, investments, your home and vehicles at what you could sell them for today, and money you are really going to be paid back.
Add up what you owe, using the outstanding balance rather than the monthly payment: mortgage, loans, credit cards and purchases on instalments.
Subtract: net worth = what you own − what you owe.

Leave out furniture, clothes and appliances: they are hard to sell for what you think they're worth, and they only inflate the number. Compare yourself with you a few months ago, not with other people's averages.

Read the full guide: Net worth tracker: how to calculate yours and follow it over time

Frequently asked questions

What if mine is negative?: It isn't a verdict. It's very common early in a working life or just after buying a home. What matters is that it's going up.
Does moving money to savings change my net worth?: No: it only changes where the money sits. Paying off a credit card doesn't either, because your balance and your debt fall by the same amount. What grows it is saving more than you spend and reducing debt.
How often should I work it out?: Once a month or once a quarter is enough, always on the same day so you can compare.