Basic Mortgage Calculator

This basic mortgage calculator estimates monthly principal and interest from three inputs: the loan amount or home price, the annual interest rate, and the loan term in years. It returns an estimated monthly payment, the total paid over the life of the loan, and a month-by-month amortization schedule that splits each payment into principal and interest.

Choose the basic version for a principal-and-interest estimate, the advanced version to add annual property tax, homeowners insurance, and PMI, or the comparison tool to compare several loan scenarios side by side. Results are estimates, not a loan offer, and do not include closing costs, HOA dues, or lender-specific fees.

No sign-up is required. Values you enter are added to the page URL so a scenario can be bookmarked or shared, and may be saved in your browser history.

Mortgage Calculator

The amount borrowed, not the home price. Home price = loan amount + down payment.

The annual interest rate on your loan.

The duration of your mortgage in years (e.g., 15 or 30).

Values you enter are written into the page URL so a scenario can be bookmarked or shared. Those values may also be saved in your browser history.

How this calculator works

These results are estimates produced by the formulas below. They are provided for general information and are not professional financial or medical advice.

Formula

Monthly payment (amortizing loan):
M = P · [ r(1 + r)^n ] / [ (1 + r)^n − 1 ]
0% interest special case: M = P / n
Estimated total monthly payment (advanced) = M + propertyTax / 12 + homeownersInsurance / 12 + PMI / 12

M
monthly principal-and-interest payment, in dollars per month
P
loan amount = principal (home price) − down payment, in dollars
r
monthly interest rate as a decimal = annual rate ÷ 12 ÷ 100
n
total number of monthly payments = loan term in years × 12
interestRate
annual mortgage interest rate, in percent per year
downPayment
upfront cash paid toward the home price, in dollars
propertyTax
annual property tax, in dollars per year
homeownersInsurance
annual homeowners insurance premium, in dollars per year
pmi
annual private mortgage insurance rate, in percent of the loan amount per year

Worked example

Basic: a $300,000 loan amount with 0% down, a 3.5% annual interest rate, and a 30-year term gives r = 3.5 ÷ 100 ÷ 12 = 0.0029167 and n = 30 × 12 = 360. Then M = 300,000 × [0.0029167 × 1.0029167^360] ÷ [1.0029167^360 − 1] ≈ $1,347.13 per month in principal and interest.

Advanced: a $300,000 home price with $60,000 down (20%), a 4.5% annual rate, 30 years, $3,600 annual property tax, and $1,200 annual insurance gives $1,216.04 principal and interest + $300 tax + $100 insurance + $0 PMI (because the down payment is 20%) ≈ $1,616.04 per month. With $30,000 down (10%) the PMI rate of 0.5% adds 0.5% × $270,000 ÷ 12 = $112.50, for a total of ≈ $1,880.55 per month.

What the result includes

  • Monthly principal and interest from the standard amortization formula.
  • Advanced version: estimated annual property tax divided by 12.
  • Advanced version: estimated annual homeowners insurance divided by 12.
  • Advanced version: estimated PMI divided by 12, applied only when the down payment is less than 20% of the home price.

What the result excludes

  • Closing costs, origination fees, discount points, and other one-time lender fees.
  • HOA dues and other recurring fees.
  • PMI removal once you reach 80% loan-to-value; when PMI applies, the estimate charges it for the full term.
  • Escrow adjustments and changes in taxes or insurance over time.
  • Lender-specific pricing, rate buy-downs, and adjustable-rate resets.
  • Location-specific tax or insurance amounts; the property tax and insurance figures you enter are generic annual numbers, not local quotes.

Assumptions and limitations

  • The interest rate is fixed for the entire loan term.
  • Payments are made monthly, beginning one month after the loan starts.
  • Displayed amounts are rounded to the nearest cent; the underlying math is unrounded.
  • Property tax and homeowners insurance are generic annual dollar amounts you enter; they are not location-specific and will differ from your actual bill.
  • PMI applies only while the down payment is below 20% of the home price, and is not removed mid-term.
  • Interest rates and cost estimates are illustrative and are not quotes from a lender.

References

Formulas last reviewed against the sources above on 2026-10-08. No credentialed professional reviewer was involved.

Understanding Your Mortgage Options

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make, and choosing the right mortgage is crucial. Our mortgage calculators help you understand exactly what you'll be paying each month and over the life of your loan. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to refinance, taking the time to run the numbers can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Use our basic calculator for quick estimates, the advanced calculator to factor in taxes and insurance, or the comparison tool to see how different loan scenarios stack up against each other. Remember, the best mortgage is one that fits your budget while allowing you to meet your other financial goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is my monthly mortgage payment calculated?

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Your monthly payment is based on the loan amount (principal), interest rate, and loan term. The calculator uses the standard amortization formula to determine your payment, which includes both principal and interest. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, and PMI may also be included in your actual monthly payment.

What's the difference between a 15-year and 30-year mortgage?

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A 15-year mortgage typically has lower interest rates and you'll pay less interest over the life of the loan, but your monthly payments will be higher. A 30-year mortgage offers lower monthly payments, making it more affordable month-to-month, but you'll pay more in total interest over time.

How much should I put down on a house?

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While 20% down is traditional and helps you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), many buyers put down as little as 3-5%. The right amount depends on your financial situation, the loan program you choose, and whether you want to minimize monthly payments or preserve cash for other goals.

What is PMI and when do I need to pay it?

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Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) protects lenders if you default on your loan. You'll typically need to pay PMI if your down payment is less than 20% of the home's value. Once you've built up 20% equity, you can usually request to have PMI removed.

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