Mortgage Calculator

Calculate your monthly mortgage payment, total cost, and interest breakdown.

Overview

A mortgage payment is calculated with the same annuity formula as any amortising loan, but the term is long enough that small rate differences produce large absolute effects. Over thirty years, a one-percentage-point rate increase raises the monthly payment by roughly ten percent and total interest by considerably more, because the increase applies to a balance that amortises slowly.

Monthly Payment

$

Loan Amount

$

Total Payment

$

Total Interest

$

Principal: $ Interest: $
Principal (%) Interest (%)

Formula

M = P[r(1+r)n] / [(1+r)n - 1]

M = monthly payment

P = loan principal (home price minus down payment)

r = monthly interest rate (annual rate / 12)

n = total number of payments (years x 12)

How to Use

  1. 1
    Enter the loan amount and rate

    Type the mortgage principal, annual interest rate, and term in years.

  2. 2
    Review the monthly payment

    The monthly principal-and-interest payment is calculated instantly.

  3. 3
    See total interest and schedule

    The full amortization schedule and total interest paid over the loan are displayed.

About

Term length trades monthly affordability against lifetime cost. A fifteen-year mortgage carries a substantially higher payment than a thirty-year one at the same rate yet costs less than half the total interest, since the balance falls far faster and less of it is exposed to interest for less time.

The calculated payment covers principal and interest only. Property tax, insurance and, where applicable, mortgage insurance and association fees are collected alongside it, so the amount actually debited commonly exceeds the amortisation figure by a fifth or more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a monthly mortgage payment calculated?
Monthly mortgage payments use the formula M = P × r(1+r)^n / ((1+r)^n – 1), where P is the loan principal, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the total number of payments. A $300,000 loan at 6.5% for 30 years results in approximately $1,896/month.
What is the difference between a 15-year and 30-year mortgage?
A 15-year mortgage has higher monthly payments but much lower total interest. For a $300,000 loan at 6.5%, a 30-year mortgage costs $1,896/month ($382,560 total interest), while a 15-year mortgage costs $2,613/month ($170,340 total interest), saving over $212,000.
How much house can I afford?
A common guideline is the 28/36 rule: housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income, and total debt should stay below 36%. On a $6,000/month income, your maximum mortgage payment would be about $1,680. Lenders also consider credit score, down payment, and debt-to-income ratio.
Should I make extra mortgage payments?
Extra payments reduce the principal faster, saving significant interest over the loan term. Adding just $100/month to a $300,000, 30-year mortgage at 6.5% saves about $56,000 in interest and pays off the loan nearly 5 years early.

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