Finance Tool

Mortgage
Calculator

Calculate your monthly mortgage payment, total interest paid, and full amortization schedule. Adjust loan amount, rate, and term to find the right mortgage for you.

Monthly Payment
$0
Principal + interest only
Total Interest
$0
Over the full loan term
Total Cost
$0
Principal + all interest
Loan Details
Home Price$400,000
$50k$2M
$
Down Payment$80,000 (20%)
$0$500k
$
Interest Rate6.50%
1%15%
%
Loan Term30 years
5 yrs30 yrs

Property Tax
Add annual property tax to monthly cost
Home Insurance
Add annual insurance to monthly cost
PMI
Required when down payment < 20%
Payment Breakdown
$0
per month
Principal & Interest$0
Key Numbers
Loan Amount$0
Down Payment %0%
Interest-to-Principal0:1
Break-even Month
Principal vs Interest Over Time
Amortization Schedule (Yearly)
YearPrincipal PaidInterest PaidTotal PaidRemaining Balance

How is my payment calculated?

Your monthly P&I payment uses the standard amortization formula: M = P[r(1+r)^n]/[(1+r)^n−1], where P is the loan amount, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the total number of payments. Property tax, insurance, and PMI are added on top.

What is PMI?

Private Mortgage Insurance is required by most lenders when your down payment is less than 20% of the home price. It typically costs 0.5–1.5% of the loan amount annually and can be cancelled once you reach 20% equity.

Fixed vs Adjustable Rate

This calculator uses a fixed interest rate. ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages) start lower but can increase after an initial period. Fixed rates provide payment certainty for the full loan term — ideal for long-term homeowners.

The 28% Rule

A common guideline is that your monthly mortgage payment (PITI — principal, interest, taxes, insurance) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. Lenders use this alongside your total debt-to-income ratio to determine affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions
How much house can I afford?
A common rule is to spend no more than 28% of gross monthly income on housing costs and no more than 36% on total debt. On a $80,000/year salary ($6,667/month), the 28% rule suggests a maximum housing payment of $1,867/month. Use that figure in this calculator to back into your maximum loan amount.
Should I choose a 15 or 30 year mortgage?
15-year mortgages have significantly lower interest rates (typically 0.5–0.75% less) and you pay far less total interest. However, monthly payments are roughly 40% higher. 30-year mortgages offer lower payments and flexibility. If you can comfortably afford the higher 15-year payment, the interest savings are substantial.
Does paying extra principal help?
Significantly. Even small additional principal payments early in the loan term save substantial interest because mortgage interest is front-loaded. On a $320k loan at 6.5% for 30 years, an extra $200/month saves over $80,000 in interest and cuts ~6 years off the loan.
What credit score do I need for a mortgage?
Conventional loans typically require a minimum 620 credit score. FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 (with 3.5% down) or 500 (with 10% down). The best interest rates are reserved for scores of 740 and above. Even a 0.5% rate difference on a $300k mortgage saves about $30,000 over 30 years.
Worked Example — $400,000 Home Purchase
Scenario

Sarah and Mike are buying a $400,000 home. They have $80,000 saved for a down payment (20%), good credit, and are choosing between a 15-year and 30-year mortgage at current rates.

30-Year Fixed (7.0%)15-Year Fixed (6.25%)
Loan amount$320,000$320,000
Monthly P&I$2,129$2,743
Monthly difference+$614/mo
Total interest paid$446,440$173,740
Interest saved$272,700

The 15-year saves $272,700 in interest — but requires $614/mo more. If they invest that $614/mo instead at 7% return for 30 years, they'd accumulate ~$740,000. The math isn't always simple.

5 Ways to Pay Less Interest on Your Mortgage
Tip 01

Put 20% down if you can

Avoiding PMI (typically 0.5–1.5%/year) saves you money every month and you start with real equity. On a $320k loan, PMI can cost $1,600–$4,800 per year until you hit 20% equity.

Tip 02

Make one extra payment per year

One extra principal payment annually on a 30-year mortgage saves roughly 4–5 years and tens of thousands in interest. The easiest method: pay half your monthly payment every two weeks (biweekly payments).

Tip 03

Improve your credit score first

The difference between a 680 and 760 credit score can be 0.5–1.0% in interest rate. On a $300k loan, that's $30,000–$60,000 over 30 years. Spend 6–12 months improving your score before applying.

Tip 04

Shop at least 3 lenders

Studies show that getting just one extra rate quote saves the average borrower $1,500. Getting five quotes saves over $3,000. Lenders compete — let them. Rate shopping within a 14-day window counts as one credit inquiry.

How to Use the Mortgage Calculator

Get your monthly payment, total interest, and full amortisation schedule in under a minute.

01
Enter the home price
Type in the purchase price of the property — not the loan amount. The calculator will subtract your down payment automatically.
02
Set your down payment
Enter either a dollar amount or percentage. 20% avoids PMI charges. The remaining amount becomes your loan principal.
03
Enter the interest rate
Use your pre-approved rate, or enter the current average (check Bankrate or your lender's website). Even a 0.25% difference changes your payment significantly.
04
Choose your loan term
30 years gives lower monthly payments. 15 years saves tens of thousands in interest. Use the comparison to see both side by side.
05
Add optional costs
Include property tax, home insurance, and PMI if applicable — these give you a true PITI payment. Most lenders require you to escrow these.
06
Review the amortisation schedule
Scroll down to see exactly how much of each payment goes to principal vs interest. Notice how early payments are mostly interest — this is why extra payments save so much.
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💡 Pro tip: Enter your monthly budget in the loan amount field and work backwards — this shows you the maximum home price you can afford at current rates.