HELOC Calculator

Free HELOC calculator with draw and repayment periods. See interest-only vs P&I payments, payment shock warning, amortization schedule, and rate sensitivity analysis.

$50,000
$
%
yrs
yrs
$0
$

Equity Check (Optional)

$400,000
$
$200,000
$

Draw Period Payment

$354/mo

Repayment Payment

$434/mo

Payment Shock Warning

Your monthly payment will increase by $80 (23% increase) when the draw period ends. Budget for this transition to avoid financial strain.

Cost Breakdown

Total borrowing cost over the full 30-year term

Total Interest
$96,639
Total Cost
$146,639
$50,000 principal + $96,639 interest
Draw Period Interest
$42,500
10 years
Repayment Interest
$54,139
20 years

Equity Check

Based on 85% max CLTV

You likely qualify

Available equity: $140,000 | CLTV: 62.5%

Available Equity
$140,000

Current LTV

50.0%

CLTV with HELOC

62.5%

Rate Sensitivity

How rate changes affect your payment

RateDrawRepaymentTotal Interest
8.5% (current)$354$434$96,639
9.5%$396$466$109,356
10.5%$437$499$122,306
11.5%$479$533$135,472

Balance Over Time

Remaining balance, cumulative principal & interest paid

Principal Paid
Interest Paid
Balance

Amortization Schedule

Year-by-year breakdown of payments, principal, interest, and remaining balance

YearPhasePaymentsPrincipalInterestBalance
1Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
2Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
3Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
4Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
5Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
6Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
7Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
8Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
9Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000
10Draw$4,250$0$4,250$50,000

What Is a HELOC?

A revolving credit line secured by your home equity

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) lets you borrow against your home's equity — the difference between market value and mortgage balance — up to an approved limit. Unlike a lump-sum home equity loan, a HELOC is revolving: borrow, repay, and re-borrow during the draw period.

Draw Period

5-10 years — borrow as needed, interest-only minimums

Repayment Period

10-20 years — pay principal + interest, no new draws

Variable Rate

Prime rate + margin, adjusts monthly or quarterly

Secured by Home

Requires 15-20% equity, max 80-85% CLTV

How to Calculate HELOC Payments

Formulas for both draw and repayment phases with a worked example

Interest-Only (Draw Period)

Monthly Payment = Balance × (APR / 12)

Fully Amortizing (Repayment Period)

M = P × [r(1+r)ⁿ] / [(1+r)ⁿ - 1]

M = Monthly payment

P = Remaining balance

r = Monthly rate (APR/12/100)

n = Repayment months

Worked Example

Inputs

HELOC Amount$50,000
APR8.5%
Draw Period10 years
Repayment20 years

Results

Draw Payment$354/mo
Repay Payment$434/mo
Payment Shock+$80 (+23%)
Total Interest$96,672

How HELOC Interest Is Calculated

Daily interest accrual and how variable rates affect your cost

Daily Interest = Balance × (APR / 365)

Your monthly charge is the sum of daily interest for that billing cycle. Payments made early in the cycle reduce your daily accrual immediately — unlike fixed-rate mortgages where interest is calculated monthly.

Rate Change Impact

A 1% rate increase on a $50,000 balance adds ~$42/month. A 3% increase adds ~$125/month. Use the rate sensitivity table above to stress-test your budget.

Understanding Payment Shock

The payment jump when draw period ends and repayment begins

$75,000 HELOC at 9% — 10-year draw, 15-year repayment

Draw Payment

$562

Repay Payment

$761

Shock

+35%

With interest-only draws on larger balances, payment shock can exceed 100%. Strategies to reduce it: make voluntary principal payments during draw, choose P&I from the start, or refinance before repayment begins.

How to Use This HELOC Calculator

5 steps to estimate your payments and total borrowing cost

Enter HELOC amount and rate

Set the amount you plan to borrow and the current APR. Typical rates range from 7-10%.

Set draw and repayment periods

Common configurations: 10/20, 10/15, or 5/20 year splits.

Choose interest-only or P&I during draw

Interest-only minimizes draw cost but maximizes payment shock.

Check your equity qualification

Enter home value and mortgage balance. Most lenders require CLTV of 85% or less.

Review results and rate scenarios

See both phase payments, shock warning, cost breakdown, and +1% to +3% rate impact.

HELOC vs Home Equity Loan

Choosing the right home equity product

Feature
HELOC
Home Equity Loan
RateVariable (prime + margin)Fixed for full term
DisbursementRevolving — draw as neededLump sum at closing
PaymentsInterest-only then P&IFixed P&I from day one
FlexibilityHigh — borrow/repay/re-borrowNone — fixed amount
Best ForOngoing renovations, expensesOne-time cost, consolidation
RiskPayment shock + rate increasesPredictable, no shock

HELOC Qualification Requirements

What lenders look for when approving a home equity line of credit

1

Home equity of at least 15-20%

CLTV (mortgage + HELOC / home value) must be 80-85% or less.

2

Credit score of 680+

700+ earns the best rates. Score directly affects your prime + margin.

3

DTI ratio below 43%

Total debts including HELOC / gross income. Some allow up to 50%.

4

Stable income verification

Pay stubs, W-2s, or 2 years of tax returns for self-employed.

Common HELOC Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid when using a home equity line of credit

Ignoring payment shock

Budget for both phases before committing

Treating it as free money

Secured by your home — missed payments risk foreclosure

Ignoring rate risk

A 2-3% jump adds hundreds to your monthly payment

Maxing the credit line

Borrow only what you need, keep a buffer

Assuming tax deductibility

Only deductible if used to improve the securing home

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and detailed answers

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