PaymentMath

Mortgage & money

How much equity can I borrow?

Quick answer: Most lenders let you borrow up to 80%–85% of your home's value minus your mortgage balance. A $400,000 home with $200,000 owed allows about $120,000 at 80% or $140,000 at 85%.

  • Standard finance formulas · rates you enter
  • Updated
  • Reviewed by Alex · How we calculate

Most lenders let you borrow up to 80%–85% of your home's value minus your mortgage balance. A $400,000 home with $200,000 owed allows about $120,000 at 80% or $140,000 at 85%.

Where do these numbers come from?

How we calculateCorrectionsChangelogAbout PaymentMath

The formula

Borrowable equity = home value × max combined LTV − mortgage balance. Conventional cash-out refinances are generally capped at 80%; HELOCs and home equity loans often allow 85% and sometimes 90%.

Borrowable equity at 85% CLTV

Home valueOwe $100kOwe $200kOwe $300kOwe $400k
$300,000$155,000$55,000——
$400,000$240,000$140,000$40,000—
$500,000$325,000$225,000$125,000$25,000
$600,000$410,000$310,000$210,000$110,000
$800,000$580,000$480,000$380,000$280,000

Lenders also check credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio, and the appraisal sets the value used.

Example rates are for comparison only, not offers or current quotes. Your rate depends on credit, loan-to-value and lender.

Related

Frequently asked questions

How much equity can I take out of my home?

Typically up to 80%–85% of the value minus what you owe.

Can I borrow 100% of my home equity?

Rarely. VA cash-out refinances can go up to 100% LTV for eligible veterans, but most products stop at 80%–90%.