An ultrasound scan is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. An ultrasound scan can be used to monitor your unborn baby, diagnose a condition based on your symptoms, or guide a surgeon during specific procedures, such as biopsies.

Whether you’re expecting a baby and want to have an ultrasound privately to monitor their development or you’re worried about certain symptoms and think that an ultrasound can give you peace of mind or swifter treatment, you may wonder how much an ultrasound scan can cost.

Ultrasound scan costs can vary considerably depending on where you live, the type of scan you’re having and the expertise of the person carrying out your scan (sonographer). In this article, we’ll guide you through the costs of each type of ultrasound, highlight the differences between NHS and private ultrasound scans and help you understand what fees may be involved.

We’ll also give you expert advice on how insurance can help make ultrasounds more affordable and tips on saving on the cost.

Average Costs for an Ultrasound

The costs of a private ultrasound scan in the UK vary depending on the type of scan you have, the clinic you opt for and the location. Below is an overview of the average price ranges for various ultrasound types.

Type of Ultrasound Costs

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £350
What it’s for: Used for assessing joints, such as the shoulders, knees or ankles, or tendon, ligament and muscle tears.
What you need to know: Specialist sports injury clinics may charge more for ultrasound scans.

Breast Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £300
What it’s for: Often carried out alongside a mammogram for dense breast tissue or lump evaluation.
What you need to know: Some clinics offer ‘breast health’ packages.

Pelvic Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £300
What it’s for: Examines the womb (uterus), ovaries, and bladder. May be external (transabdominal) or internal (transvaginal).
What you need to know: Transvaginal usually costs more.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

Costs: £180 - £350
What it’s for: Internal scan for better visualisation of the pelvic organs. It can help identify pelvic cysts or early pregnancy.
What you need to know: There is a higher cost to this scan because it’s invasive.

Pregnancy Ultrasound

Costs: £100 - £400
What it’s for: Checking pregnancy at any stage of development, checking for fetal abnormalities in mid-pregnancy (fetal anomaly scan)
What you need to know: 3D and 4D ultrasound scans and scans in later pregnancy cost more than early pregnancy scans.

Testicular Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £300
What it’s for: Checking for testicular lumps and bumps or causes of pain and swelling, for example, enlarged veins (varicoceles) or tumours.
What you need to know: May require a specialist urologist

Prostate Ultrasound

Costs: £200 - £400
What it’s for: Usually one transrectally (TRUS) for prostate cancer or prostate enlargement.
What you need to know: May include additional costs, such as a biopsy.

Doppler Ultrasound

Costs: £200 - £400
What it’s for: Checks blood flow in the veins and arteries and can be used to help identify deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or varicose veins.
What you need to know: Prices can vary by area and complexity.

Carotid Ultrasound

Costs: £200 - £400
What it’s for: Checks the neck arteries for plaque buildup or blockages, which can increase the risk of stroke.
What you need to know: Usually requested by a specialist, for example, a neurologist or cardiologist.

Abdominal Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £350
What it’s for: Can be a general scan of abdominal internal organs or more specific to one organ, for example, an abdominal aorta ultrasound scan, also known as an AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) screening, checks for bulges or swellings in the aorta (aneurysms).
What you need to know: You may need to fast ahead of the ultrasound scan.

Renal (Kidney) Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £300
What it’s for: Assesses the kidneys, bladder and parts of the urinary tracts for stones, cysts or other blockages.
What you need to know: Often bundled in with abdominal scans.

Liver Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £350
What it’s for: Focuses on liver health and acts as a screening tool for liver conditions, including cirrhosis, hepatitis and cancer, or high liver enzymes and fatty liver.
What you need to know: May include elastography (fibrosis scan) at an extra cost.

Thyroid Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £300
What it’s for: Checks the thyroid gland for lumps, goitre, nodules or inflammation.
What you need to know: May include fine needle aspiration (FNA) if a biopsy is needed. This will cost extra.

Soft Tissue Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £300
What it’s for: Evaluates lumps, swellings or fluid collections in soft tissues, such as li[omasa or abscesses.
What you need to know: Smaller areas of soft tissue are usually cheaper than larger areas.

Lymph Node Ultrasound

Costs: £150 - £300
What it’s for: Assesses enlarged or inflamed lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin.
What you need to know: May include biopsy guidance if your specialist has concerns.

Private vs NHS Services

Ultrasound scans are vital for diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions, from pregnancy checks to investigating joint pain or organ health. In the UK, we’re lucky enough to have a choice between accessing ultrasounds through the NHS (free but often slower) or through private clinics (faster but you have to pay for them).

Apart from the cost, here is a breakdown of some of the key differences between the two:

Availability and waiting times

NHS scans require a referral from a GP or consultant. Waiting times can vary, but the NHS aims to have most people in for scans within six to eight weeks. You won’t usually have a choice of when your scan appointment takes place.

Private clinics can offer ultrasounds without a referral within a day or two, sometimes even on the same day. You can pick a time slot that’s convenient for you, including evenings and weekends at some clinics, so you don’t have to take time off work.

Quality of service

The NHS is under a lot of pressure at the moment, so you may not find that the quality of service is the same as you would get at a private clinic. You may find your scan is shorter due to high demand or that you are given less information about the scan because of time constraints. The equipment, while reliable, may be older than the equipment used in a private clinic.

Private clinics, on the other hand, tend to be able to offer longer, more personalised scans with plenty of information and explanations. They also tend to have newer equipment and can provide extra visualisations that the NHS can’t, such as 3D or 4D scans.

Getting your results

With the NHS, results typically take one to four weeks to be delivered to your GP or consultant, and then you may need to wait even longer for your follow-up appointment if the information isn’t urgent.

With private scans, you’ll usually receive immediate feedback from your sonographer and a written report within 24 to 48 hours. With Scan.com, you also receive a follow-up appointment with your clinician to discuss your results in greater detail.

Understanding the Different Prices

Private scans can vary in price, depending on:

Scan type (for example, £150 for a basic pregnancy scan vs. £400+ for a Doppler vascular study).
Clinic location (for example, London and the southeast tend to be pricier than smaller cities).
Technology used (3D/4D, high-resolution probes, or specialist techniques cost more).
Urgency (same-day appointments may cost more).

Sometimes, other fees are involved, which can affect the final total price of your scan. For example, a private scan may require a letter of referral from your GP. NHS GPs may charge between £20 and £50 for this.

Additional Fees

Additional fees such as consultation fees, follow-up costs or admin charges can significantly increase the total cost of your private ultrasound. For example, a private scan may require a letter of referral from your GP, who may charge between £20 and £50 for this. Here’s what else to expect:

Consultation Fees

Some clinics charge anywhere from £50 to £150 for a pre- or post-scan consultation with a clinician, while others bundle the cost into the price of the scan itself - be sure to ask when booking.

Follow-up Costs

You may need a repeat scan to monitor your medical condition or extra imaging if your initial results are unclear. Or your scan results may need to be reviewed by a specialist. These extra follow-up costs can amount to a lot of money, so it’s worth considering whether you have the funds for them or should wait for an NHS scan.

Insurance Coverage for Ultrasound Scans

Whether your private health insurance covers the cost of your ultrasound depends on your individual policy, the type of scan you’re having and the reason for the scan.

For example, medically necessary scans or scans that are part of a diagnostic investigation, such as breast lump scans, are usually covered, but always check with your insurance provider before booking a private scan.

Routine, non-urgent or preventative scans, such as 3D pregnancy scans or a general abdominal health scan, will not usually be covered by insurance.

Some insurers may only cover the cost of ultrasound scans in specific clinics or may only reimburse part of the cost, depending on your policy. Or they may require an NHS referral in order for the cost to be covered by your insurance.

How to Save on Ultrasound Scan Costs

The following tips can help you save money on the cost of your ultrasound:

Shop around and compare: Use price comparison sites such as Scan.com and check smaller local providers who may be cheaper than well-known clinics.
Seek package deals, such as bundled pregnancy scans, as these will often cost less than individual bookings.
Ask about self-pay discounts - some clinics reduce fees if you’re not using insurance.
Check NHS-linked options - some providers offer subsidised rates based on eligibility.
Book off-peak or at the last minute, as cheaper slots may be available.
Ask about interest-free payment plans to help you cover the cost over a longer period.
Be prepared to travel for a cheaper deal. You may find it more affordable to travel to a smaller city or town for a scan than have one in London.

Do Costs Vary by Location?

Yes, the costs of ultrasound scans and other scans can vary considerably depending on your location. Typically, scans in London can cost around 30% more than scans in different parts of the country, while areas such as the southwest offer some of the cheapest scans. However, there’s plenty of availability in London and other big cities, while more rural areas have less availability. So you may prefer to pay more to have your scan sooner.

Get an Ultrasound Scan

If you need an ultrasound scan, it's easy to find and book one via Scan.com and get guidance from a healthcare professional included in your ultrasound scanning package. Find out how much private ultrasound scans cost near you by searching the whole of the UK in just a few clicks.

Sources

What (self-pay and insured) patients should know about private consultants' fees. (2024). https://www.phin.org.uk/help/self-funding-your-private-treatment

Understanding private healthcare consultant costs. (2024). https://www.phin.org.uk/help/understanding-your-consultants-fees

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