Mortgage Extra Payment Calculator
Calculate how much interest and time you can save by paying a little extra on your principal.
New Payoff Date
–
Original Interest
$0.00
New Interest Total
$0.00
The Power of Principal Reduction
Paying off a mortgage early is one of the most reliable financial investments a homeowner can make. By utilizing our Mortgage Extra Payment Calculator, you can visualize exactly how small contributions to your principal balance cascade into massive interest savings over the life of your loan.
Mortgages are front-loaded with interest. In the early years of a 30-year term, a significant portion of your monthly payment goes solely toward interest, barely touching the principal. By making extra payments, you attack the principal directly, reducing the base upon which future interest is calculated.
How to Use This Calculator
To get the most accurate results, grab your latest mortgage statement and input the following details:
- Current Loan Balance: The exact amount currently outstanding on your mortgage.
- Interest Rate: Your annual percentage rate (APR). Even a difference of 0.25% affects the calculation significantly.
- Remaining Term: How many years are left on your contract. If you are 5 years into a 30-year mortgage, enter 25.
- Monthly Extra Payment: The additional amount you plan to pay every month on top of your required payment.
Strategic Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster
1. The "Round Up" Method
If your mortgage payment is $1,240, consider rounding it up to $1,300 or even $1,500. This budgeting trick is psychologically easier to manage and ensures a consistent reduction in principal every single month.
2. Bi-Weekly Payments
Instead of paying once a month, split your payment in half and pay it every two weeks. Since there are 52 weeks in a year, you end up making 26 half-payments, which equals 13 full payments per year rather than 12. This "accidental" extra payment drastically reduces your amortization schedule.
3. Windfall Lump Sums
Did you receive a tax refund, a work bonus, or an inheritance? Applying these windfalls directly to your mortgage principal can shave years off your loan term instantly. Use the calculator above by entering the lump sum divided by your remaining months to see an averaged effect, or simply calculate the interest savings manually.
Why Interest Savings Matter
Consider a $300,000 loan at 6% interest over 30 years. You will pay approximately $347,000 in interest alone—more than the value of the house itself! By adding just $100 extra per month, you could save over $60,000 in interest and pay off the loan nearly 5 years early. That is a guaranteed return on investment equal to your mortgage interest rate.