Home Equity Calculator
How much of your home do you actually own — and how much could you borrow? Enter your value and balances to find your equity and borrowing power.
Example: with Current home value $420,000 · Mortgage balance $280,000 · CLTV limit lenders allow 85% (typical) → Your home equity: $140,000.
- Loan-to-value66.7%
- Available to borrow$77,000
- Equity as % of value33%
Computed by the calculator below using its default values. Change any input to see your own numbers.
Compare HELOC and home-equity loan offers
Learn moreEquity vs borrowable equity
Your equity is the home’s value minus what you owe. But lenders won’t let you borrow all of it — they cap your combined loan-to-value, usually around 80–90%, leaving a cushion. The gap between total equity and borrowable equity is that required buffer.
How it’s calculated & sources
Equity = value − mortgage − other liens. Available to borrow = value × max combined LTV − existing balances (floored at zero). Pick a preset CLTV (80/85/90%) or enter a custom limit. Estimated payment amortizes the available-to-borrow amount over your chosen rate and term using the standard loan-payment formula.
Benchmark: lenders typically cap combined borrowing at 80–90% of value (CLTV), keeping a 10–20% equity cushion.
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Verify with a professional.
Frequently asked questions
What can I use home equity for?
Anything — common uses are renovations, debt consolidation and big expenses. Because your home is collateral, borrow conservatively.
HELOC or home-equity loan?
A HELOC is a revolving line with a variable rate; a home-equity loan is a fixed lump sum. Choose based on whether you need flexibility or payment certainty.
What CLTV limit should I use?
80% is a conservative estimate many banks use, 85% is a common typical ceiling, and some lenders stretch to 90% for strong-credit borrowers. Pick the preset closest to your lender or enter a custom % if you already have a quote.
How is the estimated payment calculated?
We amortize the full amount available to borrow over your chosen rate and term, the same standard formula used for any installment loan. A HELOC’s actual payment may differ during its interest-only draw period.