Down Payment calculator.
Use three down-payment workflows: cash available to home price, home price to cash needed, or home price plus cash to down-payment percentage.
Down payment inputs
Choose a workflow and enter cash, home price, closing costs, mortgage rate, and loan term.
Calculation mode
Pick the way you want the calculator to solve the down-payment question.
Cash and price inputs
Use the fields relevant to your selected mode.
Payment estimate
Estimate the mortgage payment for the resulting loan amount.
Reference features: Matches the original three-way down payment workflow: cash available to home price, home price to cash needed, and home price plus cash to down payment percentage.
Visual breakdown
Key outputs update in stacked result cards, charts, and tables.
Cash requirement comparison
Shows how upfront cash grows as down-payment percent increases.
Scenario table
Loan amount, monthly payment, and PMI note for common down-payment levels.
About the Down Payment Calculator
This down payment calculator helps home buyers estimate three common affordability questions: how much home a set amount of upfront cash may support, how much cash may be needed for a target home price, and what down-payment percentage is possible when both home price and available cash are known.
The calculator includes estimated closing costs, mortgage interest rate, loan term, property tax, homeowners insurance, estimated loan amount, monthly payment, and a PMI indicator for down payments below the common 20% conventional-loan threshold.
Three planning modes
Cash available estimates a home price from cash, down-payment percent, and closing costs. Home price estimates cash needed. Home price plus cash estimates the down-payment percent.
Closing costs
Closing costs can include loan points, appraisal, title fees, inspection, lender fees, insurance items, escrow setup, and other charges. A common planning estimate is around 3% of the purchase price.
PMI threshold
For many conventional loans, down payments under 20% may require private mortgage insurance. PMI can increase the monthly cost until the loan balance falls below the required loan-to-value level.
How to use this calculator
Select the calculation mode first. Then enter your available cash, target home price, down-payment percentage, estimated closing-cost percentage, interest rate, loan term, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Review the result cards to compare upfront cash, loan amount, payment impact, and common down-payment scenarios.
Large vs. small down payment
A larger down payment can lower the loan amount, monthly payment, total interest, and PMI risk. It may also make an offer or mortgage application stronger. A smaller down payment can preserve cash for moving costs, repairs, emergency savings, paying down higher-interest debt, or other financial goals.
Different loan programs
Conventional loans often use 20% as a key benchmark, but some programs allow 10%, 5%, or 3% down. FHA loans may allow 3.5% down for eligible borrowers, while VA and USDA programs may allow zero down in some cases. Program rules, mortgage insurance, fees, and eligibility requirements vary.
Sources of down-payment funds
Common sources include savings, gift funds, assistance programs, proceeds from selling another home, or certain retirement-account strategies. Each source may have lender documentation rules, tax consequences, or repayment conditions, so verify details before relying on the funds.
Related calculators
Mortgage Calculator · House Affordability Calculator · FHA Loan Calculator · Home Equity Loan Calculator
⚠ Disclaimer: This calculator is for education and planning only. It does not include every lender fee, PMI premium, escrow rule, tax, insurance quote, grant, or underwriting condition. Confirm numbers with a lender before making an offer.
Down payment calculator FAQ
Answers about upfront cash, down-payment percentages, closing costs, PMI, mortgage payment estimates, and buyer cash planning.
What are the three calculation modes?
Cash available estimates the home price your upfront cash may support. Home price estimates the cash needed for a chosen price. Home price plus cash estimates the down-payment percentage after closing costs.
Does the calculator include closing costs?
Yes. Closing costs are modeled as a percentage of the home price and included in upfront cash planning. Actual costs vary by lender, property, location, title company, taxes, points, escrow requirements, and insurance items.
What is a down payment?
A down payment is the portion of the purchase price paid upfront by the buyer. The remaining amount is usually financed with a mortgage and repaid over the loan term.
Does a down payment under 20% mean PMI?
Often, yes for many conventional mortgages. PMI rules and premiums vary by lender and loan program. FHA, VA, USDA, and other loan types can use different mortgage-insurance or funding-fee structures.
Why do closing costs matter?
Closing costs can be a meaningful part of the cash needed to buy a home. They may include appraisal, title, lender, inspection, escrow, prepaid tax, insurance, and loan-point costs.
Is a larger down payment always better?
Not always. A larger down payment can lower borrowing costs and PMI risk, but it may leave less cash for repairs, moving costs, reserves, emergencies, or other priorities.
Can gift funds or assistance programs be used?
Sometimes. Lenders often allow documented gift funds or approved down-payment assistance, but requirements vary and may include gift letters, income limits, property rules, or repayment conditions.
Is the monthly payment exact?
No. It is a planning estimate based on the loan amount, rate, term, taxes, and insurance entered. Actual lender payments can differ because of PMI, escrow rules, fees, rate locks, and final underwriting.