| Year | Principal paid | Interest paid | Balance |
|---|
How your mortgage payment is calculated
Your monthly payment combines principal repayment and interest using an amortizing formula — meaning your payment stays constant but the split shifts over time. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments go mostly to principal.
M = P x [r(1+r)n] / [(1+r)n - 1]
P = loan amount, r = monthly interest rate, n = total payments
Look beyond the principal-and-interest payment
A mortgage payment is only one part of the cost of owning a home. Before deciding what feels affordable, estimate property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, maintenance, possible association dues, and mortgage insurance when applicable. These costs can change over time.
Run several scenarios rather than searching for one “right” answer. Compare a lower and higher home price, different down payments, and more than one loan term. A longer term can reduce the required monthly payment, while a shorter term may reduce total interest; the trade-off is cash flow versus the speed at which you build equity.
This calculator is an educational estimate, not a loan offer or affordability decision. Lenders use their own underwriting standards and may include costs this calculation does not. Before making an offer, review the official loan estimate and make room in your budget for repairs and an emergency fund.
Read Understanding Mortgage Costs Before You Buy for a checklist.