- How is my monthly mortgage payment calculated?
- The principal and interest portion uses the standard amortization formula: M = P·r(1+r)ⁿ / ((1+r)ⁿ − 1), where P is the loan amount, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of monthly payments. This calculator then adds property tax, homeowners insurance, PMI, and any HOA dues to show your full monthly payment.
- What does PITI mean?
- PITI stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance — the four core parts of most monthly mortgage payments. The payment breakdown chart shows each part, plus PMI and HOA dues when they apply.
- Does this monthly mortgage calculator include taxes and insurance?
- Yes. Beyond principal and interest, you can add property taxes and homeowners insurance, and the calculator layers in PMI and HOA dues too. That gives you an estimated monthly payment based on your full PITI, rather than just the loan portion — much closer to what you will actually pay each month.
- How does my down payment change the monthly payment?
- Your down payment is subtracted from the home price to set your loan amount, so a larger down payment means a smaller loan and a lower monthly payment. Enter it as a percentage or a dollar amount and watch the estimate update instantly. Reaching 20% down also avoids PMI.
- What is PMI and when does it go away?
- Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is usually required when your down payment is less than 20%. This calculator automatically drops PMI once your loan balance falls to 80% of the home price, so the later years of your schedule reflect the lower payment.
- Should I choose a 15-year or 30-year mortgage?
- A 15-year loan has higher monthly payments but far less total interest and faster equity. A 30-year loan has lower monthly payments but costs more over time. Use Compare mode to see both side by side with your own numbers.
- How much should my down payment be?
- A 20% down payment avoids PMI and lowers your monthly payment, but many buyers put down less. Try different down payment amounts and watch the payment breakdown and total-interest figures update instantly.
- Is this calculator free, and is my data private?
- Yes and yes. Every calculation runs entirely in your browser — nothing is sent to a server. Share links encode your numbers directly in the URL, so you stay in control of your data.