Home Equity Calculator
Compute your home equity and how much you can borrow against it.
- Formula checked
- Editorially reviewed
- Free · no signup
- Updated June 27, 2026
Your details
Most U.S. lenders cap HELOC/HEL at 80–90% CLTV.
Your estimate
Home equity
$200,000.00
44.44% of home value
Key takeaway
Equity $200,000.00; usable $132,500.00.
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Payment breakdown
The same numbers as above, shown visually so the trade-offs are easy to see.
- Home equity
- $200,000.00
- Usable equity (max borrowable)
- $132,500.00
What to do next
Deep equity — best pricing tier and no mortgage insurance.
Benchmark: 80% LTV removes PMI; servicers must cancel PMI automatically at 78%. — Homeowners Protection Act / Fannie Mae
What this means
You are financing 55.56% of the property value. Everything above 80% is what triggers mortgage insurance.
Is this good or bad?
Yes — this is a strong result by U.S. standards. Deep equity — best pricing tier and no mortgage insurance.
What's the risk?
Low risk. Nothing here needs urgent attention — protect the position you are in.
What should you do next?
Skip mortgage insurance
Your action plan
- 1
Skip mortgage insurance
At 80% or below, decline lender-paid PMI products — they price the risk back into your rate.
- 2
Compare a shorter term
With this much equity a 15-year loan is often affordable and saves six figures of interest.
- 3
Check refinance break-even
Deep equity gives you the strongest refinance pricing when rates fall.
- 4
Run the Home Affordability Calculator
Home price you can afford based on income and DTI.
Open Home Affordability Calculator - 5
Run the Mortgage Calculator
Estimate monthly mortgage payments, interest and amortization.
Open Mortgage Calculator
Your timeline
Today
- Print this estimate for your lender conversation.
- Request a homeowners insurance quote for the address.
This month
- Get a pre-approval letter, not just a pre-qualification.
- Ask for a loan estimate from three lenders on the same day.
Next 12 months
- Build an escrow cushion for the annual tax and insurance increase.
- Request PMI cancellation once you reach 80% LTV.
Long term
- Track equity and refinance when rates drop 0.75% or more.
- Reassess insurance coverage as replacement costs rise.
| Metric | Your result | Typical U.S. range | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Loan-to-Value | 55.56% | 80% or lower | Homeowners Protection Act / Fannie Mae |
Your next steps on this site
Compare scenarios
Same inputs, three outlooks — we vary Max combined LTV allowed up and down so you can see the range before you commit.
Optimistic
$200,000.00
Home Equity
Max combined LTV allowed: 68%
Expected
$200,000.00
Home Equity
Max combined LTV allowed: 85%
Conservative
$200,000.00
Home Equity
Max combined LTV allowed: 100%
Result Intelligence
Understand your result
- Your home equity is $200,000.00. Real-estate calculations swing with taxes, insurance and HOA — verify local rates.
- PMI, closing costs and escrow are the three items borrowers most often forget.
What should you do next?
- Down Payment Calculator
Right down payment can cut PMI and interest.
- Closing Costs Calculator
Budget the 2–5% cash needed at close.
- Debt-to-Income Calculator
Lenders cap most mortgages at 43% DTI.
- Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Verify buying beats renting in your city.
Ways to improve your result
- Bring 20% down to eliminate PMI on conventional loans.
- Buy points only if you'll hold the loan past the break-even (usually 5+ years).
- Compare property-tax rates across neighboring ZIPs — the swing can be huge.
Common U.S. scenarios
Austin first-time buyer
$425k home, 5% down, 6.75% 30-yr — PMI adds ~$180/month until 78% LTV.
New York co-op
Boards routinely require 25%+ down and DTI under 28% — stricter than any bank.
Phoenix investor
DSCR ≥ 1.25 is the standard cutoff for a no-income-doc investment-property loan.
Your result
- Home Equity
- $200,000.00
- Usable Equity (max borrowable)
- $132,500.00
- Current Loan-to-Value
- 55.56%
Equity $200,000.00; usable $132,500.00.
You may also want to check
- Down Payment CalculatorRight down payment can cut PMI and interest.
- Closing Costs CalculatorBudget the 2–5% cash needed at close.
- Debt-to-Income CalculatorLenders cap most mortgages at 43% DTI.
- Rent vs. Buy CalculatorVerify buying beats renting in your city.
What this result assumes
Confidence in a number depends on the assumptions behind it. Here are ours, in full.
Assumptions
- All amounts are shown in USD.
- Results are rounded for display; internal math uses full precision.
Limitations
Local taxes, HOA dues and insurance vary by county and are estimates unless entered.
Estimates are for education and planning. They are not financial, tax or legal advice.
Formula source
HUD, FHFA and CFPB mortgage and affordability guidance
- Version
- v1.3
- Last reviewed
Home equity
$200,000.00
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Quick answer
- What it does
- Home Equity Calculator compute your home equity and how much you can borrow against it. It runs entirely in your browser, needs no signup, and uses standard published U.S. formulas.
- When to use
- Use it while you compare homes, offers, or rental scenarios that hinge on home equity.
- Inputs
- Current home value
- Current mortgage balance
- Max combined LTV allowed
- Currency
- Outputs
- Home Equity
- Usable Equity (max borrowable)
- Current Loan-to-Value
- Takeaway
- In one line: enter your current home value and current mortgage balance and the Home Equity Calculator returns home equity and usable equity (max borrowable) you can compare before deciding.
Last updated · Last reviewed · 1 min read
Home Equity Calculator: Your result reflects the housing cost, equity, or ROI implied by the price, rate, and expenses you entered. Use it to compare properties or scenarios side-by-side.
What your result means
- Break-even years tell you how long you need to stay in a home before buying beats renting.
- Cash-on-cash return above 8% is generally considered a strong rental deal in most U.S. markets.
- PMI usually drops off once you reach 20% equity — factor that into long-term costs.
How does the formula work?
Equity = Value − Balance. Usable = Value × CLTV% − Balance.
How it works
Compute your home equity and how much you can borrow against it.
Step-by-step guide
- 1Enter the home price and down payment.
- 2Set your mortgage rate, term, taxes, insurance and HOA if applicable.
- 3Adjust rental income or growth assumptions where relevant.
- 4Compare monthly cost, break-even, and long-term equity.
- 5Copy or share results to discuss with your lender or agent.
Example calculation
Example: $450k home, $250k mortgage.
Who should use this calculator?
- First-time home buyers
- Rental-property investors
- Homeowners considering refinancing
- Renters running a rent-vs-buy analysis
When should you use it?
- Before making an offer on a property
- When comparing rent vs buy in a new city
- Before refinancing an existing mortgage
- When evaluating a rental as an investment
What affects the result?
- Home price and down payment
- Mortgage rate, term and PMI
- Property taxes, insurance and HOA fees
- Local appreciation and rent-growth assumptions
Compare three scenarios
| Scenario | Inputs | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Low down payment | $400k, 5% down, 7% APR + PMI | ~$3,050/mo all-in, breaks even in ~8 yrs |
| Standard 20% down | $400k, 20% down, 7% APR | ~$2,550/mo, no PMI, breaks even in ~5 yrs |
| Large down payment | $400k, 40% down, 7% APR | ~$1,900/mo, lower risk, breaks even in ~4 yrs |
Illustrative examples using U.S. market averages. Enter your own numbers above for a personalized figure.
Comparison tables
Buying vs Renting a Home in the USA
Homeownership builds equity but carries costs renters never see. HUD and the CFPB both recommend comparing the full monthly cost of ownership, not just the mortgage payment.
| Factor | Buying | Renting |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cash | 3%–20% down plus 2%–5% closing costs | First month plus a security deposit |
| Monthly cost | Principal, interest, property tax, insurance, HOA, PMI (PITI) | Rent plus renters insurance |
| Maintenance | Budget 1%–2% of home value per year | Landlord's responsibility |
| Tax benefit | Mortgage interest and property tax deductible if you itemize (IRS Pub. 936) | No federal deduction |
| Break-even horizon | Typically 4–7 years before ownership wins | Cheaper below the break-even horizon; full mobility |
Bottom line: Ownership usually wins once you pass the break-even horizon and stay put. Below it, renting and investing the difference commonly produces more net worth.
Cash-Out Refinance vs HELOC vs Home Equity Loan
All three convert home equity to cash, but the rate structure, closing costs and risk profile differ sharply.
| Factor | Cash-out refinance | HELOC / home equity loan |
|---|---|---|
| Rate type | Usually fixed for 15–30 years | HELOC variable tied to Prime; home equity loan fixed |
| Effect on first mortgage | Replaces it — you lose your existing rate | Leaves your first mortgage untouched |
| Closing costs | 2%–5% of the new loan amount | Often $0–$500 for a HELOC |
| Access to funds | One lump sum at closing | HELOC: revolving draw period, typically 10 years |
| Risk | Resets your amortization clock | Payment rises with the Prime Rate; your home secures the line |
Bottom line: If your existing mortgage rate is below current market rates, keep it and use a HELOC or home equity loan. Cash-out refinancing makes sense mainly when you can also lower the first-mortgage rate.
Decision guide
Should I Buy or Keep Renting?
HUD and CFPB guidance points at four gating questions.
1Will you stay in the area at least 5 years?
Yes: Continue.
No: Rent. You likely will not clear transaction costs.
2Do you have the down payment plus 3–6 months of expenses left over?
Yes: Continue.
No: Rent and keep building reserves — closing wipes out thin savings.
3Is total PITI (plus HOA and maintenance) under 28% of gross monthly income?
Yes: Continue.
No: Lower the price target or wait — you would be cost-burdened.
4Is your job and income stable, with a DTI under 43%?
Yes: Buy.
No: Rent until income stabilizes.
Bottom line: Buy when time horizon, reserves, payment ratio and income stability all pass. Any single failure favors renting.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating closing costs, insurance, and property taxes.
- Comparing rent to a mortgage payment only (ignore maintenance & opportunity cost).
- Assuming linear price growth over decades.
Pro tips
- Budget 1–2% of the home value per year for maintenance in addition to the mortgage.
- Don't forget PMI when the down payment is under 20%.
- Rerun the numbers with a realistic property-tax and insurance figure for your county.
Why use this calculator
- Full PITI breakdown including taxes, insurance, PMI and HOA.
- Rent-vs-buy and refinance scenarios calculated with real closing costs.
- Transparent formulas that match what your lender or agent will show.
- Works for primary homes, rentals and investment properties.
Limitations to keep in mind
- Property taxes, insurance and HOA vary widely by county and building.
- Home appreciation is an assumption — past performance does not guarantee future results.
- Does not include closing costs, points or seller concessions unless entered.
- Not an appraisal, mortgage pre-approval or investment recommendation.
Key terms explained
- LTV (Loan-to-Value)
- The mortgage amount divided by the appraised home value. LTV above 80% typically triggers PMI on conventional loans.
- PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)
- A monthly premium required when your down payment is under 20% on a conventional loan. It usually drops off automatically once you reach 22% equity.
- Closing costs
- One-time fees paid at settlement — typically 2–5% of the purchase price for buyers (appraisal, title, taxes, origination).
- Cap rate
- Net operating income divided by property value. A common rental-property yield metric — 5–10% is typical in most U.S. markets.
- Cash-on-cash return
- Annual pre-tax cash flow divided by total cash invested. Measures the actual return on the money you put in.
Before you decide
- Get a pre-approval letter with the exact rate and lender fees itemized.
- Budget for closing costs (2–5% of price) and 6 months of housing reserves.
- Order an independent inspection — never rely on the seller's disclosure alone.
- Verify property tax, HOA, and insurance quotes with the actual providers, not estimates.
Official Sources & References
The formulas, rates and definitions used by this calculator are aligned with the following official sources:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — Affordability ratios, FHA loan limits and housing-cost benchmarks.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Owning a Home — Mortgage, closing-cost and rent-vs-buy guidance.
- FHA — HUD Single Family Housing Handbook 4000.1 — FHA loan limits, MIP and LTV requirements.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — VA Home Loans — VA entitlement, funding fee and zero-down eligibility rules.
We use only primary sources — regulators, standards bodies and scheme operators. See our full sourcing policy for details. Sources & References Policy · Calculator Methodology · How We Verify Formulas
Trust & Accuracy
Accuracy tested
Verified against HUD / CFPB affordability and amortisation conventions. Edge cases, formula validation and manual verification completed (last reviewed June 27, 2026).
Government source
Inputs and thresholds follow HUD, FHFA and CFPB mortgage and affordability guidance.
Educational use
This tool is provided for education and planning only. It is not financial, tax, legal or medical advice.
Available for
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, India, European Union.
Currency support
USD · INR · CAD · AUD · GBP · EUR
Privacy
No information entered into this calculator is stored on our servers unless you explicitly choose to save or share your calculation.
Print, share & save
Use the Save, Share, Copy, PDF, CSV and Print actions under the result panel.
Accessibility
Keyboard navigable, screen-reader friendly labels, responsive on mobile and desktop.
Learn more: How we verify formulas · How we test accuracy · Methodology · Editorial policy
Recent Updates
We continuously review and improve our calculators to keep formulas, assumptions and references accurate.
View change log (4)Show
- v1.3
Added Trust & Accuracy panel and machine-readable change log.
- v1.2
Added Save, Share, PDF, CSV and Print actions to results.
- v1.1
Added global currency selector (USD, INR, CAD, AUD, GBP, EUR).
- v1.0
Initial calculator release with verified formulas and Official Sources.
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