How Much Down Payment for a House? Calculate It

A house down payment is the portion of the purchase price you pay upfront rather than borrow. Use this calculator to estimate the amount from a home price and a down-payment percentage; it also shows the remaining loan amount and the percentage-based cash contribution.

Formula

Down payment amount = home price × down-payment percentage ÷ 100. Amount left to finance = home price − down payment. The down-payment share is the down payment divided by the home price, multiplied by 100.

• price: purchase price, in dollars.
• pct: chosen down-payment percentage, from 0 to 100.
• down: upfront contribution toward the purchase price, in dollars.
• loan: purchase price minus the down payment, in dollars. This is a simple estimate of the amount financed before any other adjustments.
• share: down payment as a percentage of the purchase price.

Worked Example

Using the calculator’s defaults, the home price is $350,000 and the down-payment percentage is 10%.

1. Convert 10% to a decimal: 10 ÷ 100 = 0.10.
2. Calculate the down payment: $350,000 × 0.10 = $35,000.00.
3. Subtract it from the purchase price: $350,000 − $35,000 = $315,000.00 left to finance.
4. Check the share: $35,000 ÷ $350,000 × 100 = 10.00%.

How Much Should You Put Down?

There is no single down-payment amount that applies to every home purchase. The answer depends on the purchase price, the loan and transaction requirements, your available funds, and the other costs you need to cover. A percentage is a convenient way to compare amounts across prices, but it does not establish what a lender will require or what a buyer can afford.

For example, on a $350,000 home, 5% is $17,500, 10% is $35,000, and 20% is $70,000. Each additional dollar paid upfront generally means one less dollar of the purchase price needs financing, before considering the loan’s particular terms. Use the calculator to test percentages against the price you are considering; obtain applicable requirements and figures directly from the lender and other relevant parties.

What the Down Payment Does—and Does Not—Cover

The down payment is applied toward the purchase price. It is not the same as the total cash needed at closing. Buyers may also have closing costs, prepaid expenses, inspections, moving expenses, and other costs. The amounts and treatment vary, so this calculator does not estimate them. Ask for an itemized estimate based on the particular transaction.

The “amount left to finance” is also not necessarily the final mortgage principal. A mortgage transaction may include adjustments, financed costs, or other components not represented by this basic calculation. It also does not calculate a monthly payment: that requires loan terms such as the interest rate and repayment period, and may require additional costs. The result here is a purchase-price subtraction, not a loan offer or approval estimate.

Comparing Down-Payment Percentages

Changing the percentage changes both the cash contribution and the amount left to finance. A smaller contribution leaves more of the price to be covered by financing; a larger one uses more cash upfront. These arithmetic results alone do not show which option is appropriate or how a lender will treat a particular application.

• 5% of $350,000: $17,500 down; $332,500 remains before other adjustments.
• 10% of $350,000: $35,000 down; $315,000 remains before other adjustments.
• 20% of $350,000: $70,000 down; $280,000 remains before other adjustments.

A frequently repeated claim is that every homebuyer must put down 20%. That is not a universal mathematical rule. Requirements and available loan structures differ, and the calculator cannot determine eligibility or establish a minimum. Check the relevant terms rather than treating a familiar percentage as a requirement.

Common Calculation Mistakes

• Using the wrong price: Enter the purchase price, not the amount you hope to borrow or a monthly housing budget.
• Confusing percent and decimal: Enter 10 for 10%, not 0.10. The formula divides the entered percentage by 100.
• Treating the result as all cash due: The down payment excludes other purchase and closing expenses.
• Assuming the balance equals the final loan: It is only price minus down payment; the lender’s loan figures can reflect other transaction details.
• Rounding too early: Keep the full purchase price and percentage in the calculation, then round dollar results to cents for display.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is 20% down on a $300,000 house?
Twenty percent of $300,000 is $60,000. The purchase price remaining after that contribution is $240,000, before any other adjustments.

Do I have to put 20% down on a house?
Not as a universal rule. Down-payment requirements vary by loan and transaction. Ask the lender about the terms that apply; this calculator does not determine eligibility or requirements.

Is the down payment the same as closing costs?
No. The down payment goes toward the purchase price. Closing costs and other upfront expenses are separate, and their amounts are not included here.

Does a bigger down payment lower the amount borrowed?
In this calculation, yes: the amount left to finance is the purchase price minus the down payment. The calculator does not estimate interest, monthly payments, or the lender’s final loan amount.

Can I use a down payment of 0% in the calculator?
Yes. Zero is allowed for arithmetic comparison, but that does not mean a zero-down-payment loan is available for a particular purchase. Confirm applicable terms with the lender.

This result is an estimate; the lender’s disclosure gives the exact figures.

Related

• Budget Home and Contents Insurance Calculator
• Budget Presented in Which House? Parliament Explained
• Budget Direct Payment Online: Calculate Your Monthly Payment

in price | Home price | $ | 350000 | 0 | 100000000
in pct | Down payment | % | 10 | 0 | 100
out down | Down payment amount | $ | price * pct / 100 | 2
out loan | Amount left to finance | $ | price - down | 2
out share | Down payment share | % | down / price * 100 | 2