Refinance Calculator

Free refinance calculator with break-even analysis, monthly savings, and amortization comparison. See if refinancing your mortgage is worth it with cash-out support.

Current Mortgage
$300K
$
%
yrs
mo
%
$5.0K
$
pts
$0
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yrs

Yes, Refinancing Makes Sense

Break even in 1 yr 4 mo, then save $22,022 over 7 years

Payment Summary

Monthly payment comparison and savings breakdown

Current

$2,120/mo

New

$1,799/mo

Savings/mo

+$322

Break-Even

1 yr 4 mo

Lifetime

$22,022

over 7 yrs

Costs

$5,000

Loan Comparison

Side-by-side breakdown of current vs refinanced mortgage

MetricCurrentNew
Loan Amount$300,000$300,000
Interest Rate7.00%6.00%
Remaining Term25y 0m30 years
Monthly Payment$2,120.34$1,798.65
Total Interest$336,101$347,515
Total Cost$636,101$652,515
Net Interest Savings-$16,413

Rate Sensitivity

How different rates affect your savings and break-even

New RatePaymentSavings/moBreak-Even
5.50%$1,703+$41712 mo
6.00%current$1,799+$32216 mo
6.50%$1,896+$22423 mo
7.00%$1,996+$12441 mo

Cumulative Interest Comparison

Total interest paid over time for each loan

Current Loan
New Loan

Year-by-Year Comparison

Annual balance and interest breakdown for both loans

YearCurrent Bal.New Bal.Cur. Int.New Int.
1$295,411$296,316$20,855$17,900
2$290,489$292,405$20,523$17,673
3$285,212$288,252$20,167$17,431
4$279,554$283,844$19,786$17,175
5$273,486$279,163$19,377$16,903
6$266,980$274,194$18,938$16,615
7$260,004$268,918$18,468$16,308
8$252,523$263,317$17,963$15,983
9$244,502$257,371$17,423$15,637
10$235,900$251,057$16,843$15,270

What Is a Refinance Calculator?

Determine whether replacing your current mortgage saves money

A Refinance Calculator compares your current mortgage against a new loan to show whether refinancing makes financial sense. It calculates your new monthly payment, total interest savings, and the break-even point — the number of months it takes for your monthly savings to offset closing costs.

Lower Payment

Reduce your monthly mortgage payment by securing a lower interest rate

Break-Even

See exactly when your savings exceed the cost of refinancing

Interest Savings

Compare total interest paid on your current vs new mortgage

Cash-Out Option

Borrow against equity for renovations, debt payoff, or other needs

How Mortgage Refinancing Works

The formula and methodology behind the numbers

Refinancing replaces your existing mortgage with a new loan, typically at a lower interest rate. The calculator uses the standard amortization formula to compute monthly payments:

Monthly Payment Formula:

M = P × [r(1+r)n] / [(1+r)n - 1]

Where P = principal, r = monthly interest rate, n = total number of months

Break-Even Formula:

Break-Even = Total Closing Costs ÷ Monthly Savings

If your break-even is shorter than your expected stay, refinancing pays off.

Example:

$300,000 balance at 7% with 25 years remaining. Refinancing to 6% for 30 years with $5,000 closing costs:

  • Current payment: $2,120/mo
  • New payment: $1,799/mo
  • Monthly savings: $322/mo
  • Break-even: ~16 months

When Should You Refinance?

Decision framework for homeowners

Rate drop of 0.5-1% or more

A rate reduction of at least 0.5% typically makes refinancing worthwhile for most loan sizes. Larger balances benefit from even smaller rate drops.

You plan to stay 5+ years

The longer you stay past the break-even point, the more you save. If you're moving within 2-3 years, refinancing costs may not be recouped.

Your credit score has improved

A higher credit score since your original mortgage can qualify you for significantly better rates, especially if you've moved from fair to good/excellent.

Switching from ARM to fixed rate

If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage and rates are rising, locking in a fixed rate provides payment certainty and protects against future increases.

Be cautious about resetting to 30 years

Refinancing from 20 remaining years to a new 30-year term lowers payments but increases total interest significantly. Consider a 15 or 20-year term instead.

Common Refinancing Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid when refinancing your mortgage

Ignoring closing costs

Closing costs typically run 2-5% of the loan. A lower rate doesn't help if you move before recouping these costs. Always check the break-even point.

Only comparing monthly payments

A lower payment with a longer term can mean more total interest. Compare the total cost of both loans, not just the monthly amount.

Resetting the clock without reason

Going from 20 years remaining to a new 30-year loan adds 10 years of payments. Consider matching or shortening your remaining term.

Cashing out for consumption

Cash-out refinancing increases your loan balance. Using it for home improvements (adds value) is smarter than using it for vacations or consumer purchases.

Not shopping multiple lenders

Rates and fees vary significantly between lenders. Get at least 3-4 quotes. Even a 0.125% difference in rate can save thousands over the loan life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about mortgage refinancing

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Last updated Mar 23, 2026