Balance over time
The schedule
The formula
How it works
Fixed payments stay level, but the split shifts: interest is charged on the balance, so early payments are mostly interest and later ones mostly principal. A bigger deposit or shorter term cuts total interest sharply.
FAQ
No — with under 20% down you’ll usually pay private mortgage insurance on top of this figure.
This assumes a fixed rate: the payment stays level for the full term.
How the mortgage payment is calculated
Your monthly payment on a standard fixed-rate loan stays the same every month, but it is split between interest and principal. Interest is charged on the balance you still owe, so at the start most of the payment covers interest and only a little reduces the balance. As the balance falls, the interest portion shrinks and more of each payment goes to principal — which is why the amortization schedule accelerates over time. In symbols the monthly payment is , where is the monthly interest rate and the number of payments.
What affects how much you pay
Three levers move the number most: the amount borrowed (the price minus your down payment), the interest rate, and the term. A larger down payment lowers the loan and, above 20%, usually removes private mortgage insurance. A lower rate cuts the interest charged every month. A shorter term raises the monthly payment but dramatically reduces the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
What this calculator does not include
The figure shown is principal and interest only. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues and mortgage insurance are billed separately and vary by location and lender, so budget for them on top of the payment shown here.