Refinance Calculator

Find out if refinancing your mortgage saves money. Calculate your break-even point, monthly savings, and lifetime interest reduction.

Loan Details

$
$50K$1.5M
%
1%15%
%
1%15%
30 yr
20 yr
15 yr
10 yr
$
$
New Monthly Payment
Monthly Savings
Break-Even Point
Lifetime Interest Savings

Loan Balance Over Time

Break-Even Visualization

How to Use the Refinance Calculator

Enter your current loan balance, your existing interest rate, and the new rate you've been offered. Select the new loan term — refinancing into a shorter term like 15 years can dramatically reduce total interest even if the rate is similar. Add your estimated closing costs (typically 2–5% of the loan balance) and any cash-out amount if applicable.

The calculator instantly shows your new monthly payment, how much you save each month, your break-even point in months, and your total lifetime interest savings. Use these numbers to decide whether refinancing is worth pursuing.

When Does Refinancing Make Sense?

Refinancing typically makes sense when you can reduce your rate by at least 0.5 to 1 percentage point, you plan to stay in the home long enough to pass the break-even point, and you have sufficient equity (at least 20% to avoid PMI). The lower your new rate and the longer you plan to stay, the more valuable a refinance becomes.

Rate-and-term refinancing purely lowers your rate or changes your term. Cash-out refinancing lets you borrow against your equity — useful for home improvements, debt consolidation, or large purchases, but it increases your loan balance and resets your payoff timeline.

Break-Even Calculation Formula

The break-even formula is straightforward: Break-Even Months = Total Closing Costs ÷ Monthly Savings. If you pay $4,500 in closing costs and save $150/month, your break-even is 30 months (2.5 years). Every month after that, the refinance is pure savings. This is the single most important number for evaluating whether to refinance.

Be aware that extending your term can create a lower monthly payment that looks attractive, but you may pay more total interest over the life of the loan — which is why this calculator also shows lifetime interest savings alongside monthly savings.

Tips to Get the Best Refinance Rate

  • Shop multiple lenders — rates can vary by 0.5% or more between lenders on the same day
  • Improve your credit score — a score above 760 typically qualifies for the best rates
  • Reduce your LTV — the more equity you have, the lower your rate
  • Consider paying points — buying down the rate makes sense if you'll stay long enough to recoup the cost
  • Lock in your rate once you're ready to proceed to avoid market fluctuations

Frequently Asked Questions

The break-even point is calculated by dividing your total closing costs by your monthly savings. For example, if closing costs are $4,500 and you save $150/month, your break-even is 30 months. If you plan to stay in the home longer than 30 months, refinancing likely makes financial sense.
Refinancing generally makes sense when you can lower your interest rate by at least 0.5–1%, you plan to stay in the home past the break-even point, you have good credit (700+), and your home has sufficient equity (typically 20%+). Cash-out refinancing may also make sense for home improvements or debt consolidation at lower rates.
Refinancing closing costs typically range from 2–5% of the loan amount, covering origination fees, appraisal, title insurance, and recording fees. On a $300,000 loan, expect $6,000–$15,000 in closing costs. Some lenders offer no-closing-cost refinances by rolling costs into the rate or loan balance.
Yes, refinancing typically resets your loan term. If you have 22 years left on a 30-year mortgage and refinance into a new 30-year loan, you'll be paying for 52 total years. Consider refinancing into a shorter term (15 or 20 years) to avoid extending your payoff date while still lowering your rate.