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Mortgage Calculator

Free mortgage calculator: enter home price, down payment, interest rate, and loan term to see your monthly payment, total interest, and full loan cost.

About this tool

A mortgage is the biggest loan most people ever take, and small differences in rate or term translate into tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Guessing at the monthly payment is not good enough when the stakes are this high.

This mortgage calculator shows your exact monthly payment from the home price, down payment, interest rate, and loan term - plus the total you will pay and how much of it is interest.

How to use

Enter the home price and your down payment in dollars, the annual interest rate as a percentage, and the loan term in years (30 and 15 are the most common).

Press Calculate Mortgage to see your monthly payment for principal and interest, the total paid over the life of the loan, and the total interest. Try different down payments or rates to feel how much each choice costs you.

The math behind it

Monthly payments use the standard amortization formula: M = P x r / (1 - (1+r)^-n), where P is the loan amount (price minus down payment), r is the monthly interest rate (annual rate divided by 12), and n is the total number of payments.

For example, a $240,000 loan at 6.5% for 30 years gives a monthly payment of about $1,517. Note this covers principal and interest only - taxes and insurance are usually extra.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a 15-year and 30-year mortgage?
A 15-year loan has higher monthly payments but a much lower rate and far less total interest - often saving over a hundred thousand dollars on a typical home. A 30-year loan costs more overall but keeps monthly payments affordable. Choose based on what your budget can handle comfortably.
How much down payment do I need?
Twenty percent is the traditional target because it avoids private mortgage insurance (PMI), but many loans allow 3-10% down. A bigger down payment means a smaller loan, lower monthly payments, and less interest - this calculator lets you compare scenarios side by side.
Does this include property tax and insurance?
No - this calculator covers principal and interest only, which is the core of the loan. Lenders usually add property tax, homeowner's insurance, and possibly PMI into an escrow payment. Ask your lender for the full PITI (principal, interest, tax, insurance) figure.

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