The Mortgage Ledger

Canada

Canada overpayment calculator

See how much interest you would save, and how many years you would cut off the mortgage, by paying a little extra each month.

Your mortgage

Paid on top of your normal payment, straight off the principal.

Overpaying $200.00/mo

$59,219

saved in interest over the life of the loan

Time cut off the mortgage
4 yrs 8 mos
Interest without overpaying
$275,826
Interest with overpaying
$216,607
Canadian closed mortgages cap penalty-free prepayment (commonly 10–20% of the original balance per year). Go over that and you may owe a prepayment charge (often the greater of 3 months' interest or the interest-rate differential). Check your lender's privilege terms first.

An estimate to help you plan — not financial advice. Assumes the extra amount is paid every month for the life of the loan and applied to principal.

Could refinancing to a lower rate save even more?

Canadian mortgages limit how much you can prepay each year — but within those “prepayment privileges” (commonly 15–20% of the original balance as a lump sum, plus a 15–20% payment increase), overpaying cuts your interest and shortens the amortization. This calculator shows the impact of using them.

How this calculator works

Most Canadian lenders let you pay a lump sum of 15–20% of the original principal each year and raise your regular payment by a similar percentage, penalty-free. Going beyond the privilege can trigger a prepayment charge.

Because these extras go entirely to principal, they save interest on every remaining payment and can knock years off a 25-year amortization.

Timing matters: a lump sum early in the term saves far more interest than the same amount near the end.

A worked example

A $500,000 loan at 6.5% over 25 years, adding $300/mo (within privileges):

Time saved
4.3 years earlier
Interest saved
$102,459

Stay within your lender's 15–20% annual privilege to avoid a prepayment charge.

Who it's for

  • You want to use your annual prepayment privileges well.
  • You're comparing a lump sum against a payment increase.
  • You want to shorten a 25-year amortization.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I prepay on a Canadian mortgage?

Typically 15–20% of the original balance as an annual lump sum, plus the option to raise your regular payment by 15–20% — the exact figures vary by lender.

Is there a penalty for overpaying in Canada?

Only if you exceed your prepayment privileges. Within the annual allowance, lump sums and payment increases are penalty-free.

How much interest do prepayments save?

Meaningful amounts — adding $300/month within privileges to a $500,000, 6.5% loan shortens it by years and saves substantial interest. See above.

When is the best time to make a lump sum?

As early as possible. A prepayment early in the amortization avoids interest on that amount for the whole remaining term.