The Mortgage Ledger

United States

US refinance calculator

Compare your current mortgage to a new rate — new monthly payment, break-even on closing costs, and lifetime savings.

Your current loan

New loan

Lender fees, appraisal, title insurance, etc.

Refinance outcome

$266.00

Monthly savings

New monthly payment
$1,896.20
Current payment
$2,162.20
Break-even point
1 yr 4 mos
Lifetime savings (net of costs)
$13,920
Refinancing lowers your payment by $266.00/mo. You recoup the $4,000 in closing costs after 1 yr 4 mos — worth it if you keep the home longer than that.
Open the new loan in the full calculator →

If your new rate lands differently

Quoted rates move before you lock. Here is the same comparison at a few nearby rates — nothing here is a prediction.

New rateMonthlyBreak-even
6.00%$363.551 yr
6.25%$315.051 yr 1 mo
6.50%(quoted)$266.001 yr 4 mos
6.75%$216.411 yr 7 mos
7.00%$166.292 yrs 1 mo

An estimate to help you plan — not financial advice or a loan offer. An estimate of principal & interest only — your actual savings depend on closing costs, loan type, and how long you stay. Not a lending offer.

Could overpaying save more than refinancing?

Refinancing a US mortgage replaces your loan with a new one — usually to grab a lower rate, change the term, or take cash out. It costs closing fees, so the real question is the break-even: how many months of lower payments it takes to recover those costs. This calculator finds it.

How this calculator works

A lower rate cuts your monthly principal and interest; the calculator compares your current payment with the new one to find the monthly saving.

Refinancing carries closing costs, often 2–5% of the loan. Break-even is closing costs ÷ monthly saving — if you'll stay in the home past that point, refinancing pays off.

A cash-out refinance borrows against your equity at the same time; a rate-and-term refinance just changes the rate or the length.

A worked example

Refinancing a $400,000 balance from 7% to 6% with $6,000 in closing costs:

Old payment (7%) → new (6%)
$2,661 → $2,398/mo
Monthly saving
$263/mo
Break-even
23 months

Refinance only if you'll stay past the break-even; otherwise the closing costs outweigh the savings.

Who it's for

  • You want to know if refinancing actually saves money.
  • You need the break-even point for the closing costs.
  • You're weighing a lower rate against upfront fees.

Frequently asked questions

Should I refinance my mortgage?

Refinance if you'll keep the home past the break-even point — closing costs divided by monthly saving. Past that, the lower rate is pure saving.

What is the refinance break-even point?

The number of months of lower payments needed to recover your closing costs. Break-even = closing costs ÷ monthly saving.

How much does it cost to refinance?

Typically 2–5% of the loan in closing costs — appraisal, origination, title, and so on — similar to the costs of the original mortgage.

What is a cash-out refinance?

A refinance where you borrow more than you owe and take the difference in cash, using your home equity — useful for renovations or debt consolidation, but it raises your balance.