If you’re planning to buy a home using an FHA-insured loan, getting a clear estimate of how much you can borrow—and what your payments might look like—is essential. The FHA Loan Amount Calculator helps you estimate your maximum base loan amount, required down payment, upfront mortgage insurance premium, and even closing costs based on FHA lending rules.
What Is an FHA Loan Amount Calculator?
An FHA Loan Amount Calculator estimates:
- Maximum base FHA loan amount based on purchase price and down payment
- FHA minimum down payment (usually 3.5%) and required cash-to-close
- Up-Front Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP = 1.75%)
- Optional closing costs and required reserve funds
- Guides borrowers through FHA loan eligibility calculations and affordability limits U.S. Bank+4TowneBank+4AZ Mortgage Brothers+4WikipediaInvestopedia+2Anytime Estimate+2Newcastle Loans+2HUD+9Newcastle Loans+9Wikipedia+9
This calculator is especially helpful when you want to figure out how much home you can afford under FHA rules without manual math.
How to Use the FHA Loan Amount Calculator
Required Inputs:
- Purchase Price or Home Value
- Down Payment Percentage (e.g. 3.5%, 5%, etc.)
- County FHA Loan Limits (optional, but necessary for maximum financing) FHA.com
- Closing Costs Estimate (2–5% of purchase price) if you want a full cash‑to‑close view
Outputs:
- Base FHA Loan Amount = Purchase Price – Down Payment
- Required Minimum Down Payment (FHA requires 3.5% for credit scores ≥580) Wikipedia
- UFMIP (1.75%) = Base Loan × 1.75%, optionally financed into loan
- Total Financed Amount (including UFMIP if rolled in)
- Estimated Closing Costs and total cash-to-close estimate
Formulas Behind the Calculator (Plain Text)
javaCopyEditBase Loan Amount = Purchase Price – (Purchase Price × Down Payment %) UFMIP = Base Loan Amount × 1.75% Total Financed = Base Loan + UFMIP (if financed) Minimum Down Payment = Purchase Price × 3.5% (if applicable)
Loan limits: FHA loan amount cannot exceed county limit for single-family homes (~$524,225 to $1,209,750 depending on location) Investopedia+15FHA.com+15Wikipedia+15Investopedia+8My Mortgage Insider+8Newcastle Loans+8TowneBank
Example Calculation
- Purchase Price: $400,000
- Down Payment: 3.5%
- Base FHA Loan: $400,000 × 96.5% = $386,000
- UFMIP: $386,000 × 1.75% = $6,755, can be financed loan
- Total Financed: ≈ $392,755
- Cash Down Required: $14,000 (down payment) + closing costs (e.g. $8,000) = ≈ $22,000
If county limit is $389,000, then base loan would cap at that limit and borrower must increase down payment accordingly.
Why This Calculator Is Important
- ✅ Helps you estimate how much you qualify for under FHA rules
- ✅ Shows minimum down payment and optional financed UFMIP clearly
- ✅ Alerts you if your target loan exceeds county FHA limits
- ✅ Useful for early budgeting and pre-qualification planning
Additional Insights & Benefits
- FHA requires Mortgage Insurance Premium regardless of down payment size; understanding UFMIP and annual MIP is important. Annual MIP rates typically range between 0.55–0.85% of base loan annually for 30‑year loans with small down payments, recently lowered by about 30 bps in 2023 The Mortgage Reports+15Wikipedia+15TowneBank+15FHA.com+2Newcastle Loans+2My Mortgage Insider+2Anytime Estimate+3TowneBank+3FHA.com+3
- If you refinance within three years into another FHA loan, you may qualify for a pro-rated refund of the original UFMIP Newcastle Loans
- FHA loan limits differ by county—always verify with HUD’s lookup tool if your intended amount exceeds the limit TowneBankmortgagecalculator.org
20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the minimum FHA down payment?
Typically 3.5% if your credit score is at least 580; 10% is required for credit scores of 500–579. Investopedia+1Investopedia+1 - What is UFMIP?
Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium equal to 1.75% of the base loan amount. Can be paid at closing or added to the loan. Wikipedia+1Newcastle Loans+1 - Can I finance UFMIP?
Yes. Most calculators add UFMIP to the loan balance to avoid paying it at closing. - Why does actual FHA limit matter?
FHA sets maximum loan limits by county—your base loan cannot exceed that cap. TowneBank - What if my desired loan exceeds the county limit?
You must raise your down payment or choose a smaller purchase price. - Is annual MIP factored into loan amount?
No; annual MIP is paid monthly, but UFMIP is included in financing. - Does the calculator include closing costs?
Optional—but many tools include a field for estimated closing costs (2–5% of purchase price). - Can I use this when refinancing?
You can estimate base loan amount and UFMIP, but refinance tools differ slightly. - What if credit score <580?
FHA requires a 10% down payment if credit score is between 500–579. Wikipedia - Are FHA loan limits updated yearly?
Yes—check the HUD website or lender for the latest numbers. FHA.comTowneBank - Can UFMIP be refunded?
If you refinance FHA-to-FHA within 36 months, you may get a partial refund. Newcastle Loans - Do calculators account for 203(k) rehab loans?
Some do; they include purchase price plus repair estimate to define base loan. Investopedia - Is there a prepayment penalty on FHA loans?
No, FHA loans do not have prepayment penalties; extra payments can be simulated. Calculator.net - Does the calculator include property insurance?
You can optionally add monthly insurance and tax estimates to total costs. - Why does FHA require mortgage insurance even with large down?
FHA rules mandate MIP regardless of down payment size, unless refinanced or LTV ≤90% at origination. WikipediaWikipedia - How accurate are the calculators?
With correct input, they align closely with FHA lender estimates; always verify with a lender. - What if I exceed loan limit by buying multi-unit?
FHA limits scale per unit (1–4 family); calculators often adjust limits accordingly. - What is debt-to-income in FHA?
FHA aims for front-end DTI ≤31% and back-end ≤43% but allows exceptions with compensating factors. Calculator.net - Are custom calculators available for jumbo FHA loans?
Yes—some calculators adjust for high-cost area limits or multiple units. - Why use this calculator instead of a conventional loan calculator?
FHA-specific features (UFMIP, loan limits, low credit qualification) differentiate it from conventional‑loan tools. Calculator.net
✅ Final Thoughts
An FHA Loan Amount Calculator is invaluable for planning your home purchase under FHA rules. It helps you understand:
- The maximum base loan amount allowed
- Your required minimum down payment
- Up-Front Mortgage Insurance Premium (and how it affects your loan balance)
- And optional closing costs for total cash needed