What this calculator does
This calculator shows the payment and total cost of your refinanced mortgage. Enter the new loan amount (your payoff balance, or payoff balance + rolled-in closing costs), the new rate, and the new term. If you enter your current payment, you'll also see the monthly change.
To answer "should I refinance?" โ including the break-even point where savings offset closing costs โ use the [Mortgage Refinance Break-Even Calculator](/calculators/mortgage-refinance-break-even).
15-year vs. 30-year refinance
Refinancing into a 15-year term typically gets you a lower rate (15-year rates run 0.5โ0.75% below 30-year) and cuts total interest dramatically, but the higher payment constrains cash flow. Refinancing into a 30-year resets the clock and maximizes monthly savings, but you pay significantly more interest over the life of the loan โ especially if you had already paid down 10+ years on the original loan.
A useful middle path: refinance into a 30-year for payment flexibility, then make extra principal payments when cash allows. The amortization schedule below shows the balance at every month, so you can see exactly how extra payments accelerate payoff.
What's not included
This calculator shows principal and interest only. Your actual mortgage payment also includes property taxes (typically escrowed), homeowner's insurance, and PMI if your equity is under 20%. Add those to the P&I figure to estimate your full monthly outlay.
Rate shopping matters more than most people expect
On a $300,000 refinance, the difference between 6.5% and 7.0% over 30 years is about $100/month and over $35,000 in total interest. Getting quotes from at least 3 lenders โ a bank, a credit union, and an online lender โ takes less than an hour and can meaningfully reduce your lifetime cost. Rates move daily; lock once you find a rate you're comfortable with.