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Free HELOC calculator
HELOC Amount Calculator
Your maximum HELOC is set by three numbers: your home’s value, your remaining mortgage balance, and your lender’s CLTV cap. Enter all three to see the credit line you could qualify for.
Your result
Estimates only, for education — not financial advice. Most HELOC rates are variable and payments will change if your rate changes. Verify figures with your lender.
The max-line formula
Max credit line = (home value × CLTV limit) − mortgage balance. On a $450,000 home with a $285,000 mortgage and an 85% CLTV cap: ($450,000 × 0.85) − $285,000 = $97,500.
What if the answer is zero?
A zero (or negative) result means your mortgage already uses up the lendable value at that CLTV cap — common when you recently bought with a small down payment. Options: wait for appreciation or pay down principal, or look for a lender allowing a higher CLTV (usually at a higher rate).
This is the ceiling, not the approval
The formula gives the maximum the math allows. Actual approval also weighs your credit score (usually 680+), debt-to-income ratio, income documentation, and an appraisal of your home. See HELOC requirements for the full checklist — and run the full HELOC calculator to see what that line would cost you.
Frequently asked questions
What CLTV do most lenders allow on a HELOC?
Most cap combined loan-to-value at 80–85% of the home’s appraised value. A few go to 90% for strong borrowers, usually with a higher rate.
Do I have to draw the full credit line at once?
No — that’s the point of a HELOC. The line is a limit, not a loan: you draw what you need, when you need it, and pay interest only on the drawn amount.
Will applying for a HELOC affect my credit?
The application triggers a hard inquiry (a small, temporary dip). How you use the line matters more: high utilization of the credit line can weigh on your score.
Can I increase my HELOC limit later?
Sometimes — if your home appreciates or you pay down the mortgage, you can ask for a limit increase, which usually means a new appraisal and underwriting.
Does available equity equal my credit line?
Not quite. Available equity is home value minus mortgage ($165,000 in the example). The credit line is further limited by the CLTV cap — here, $97,500 of that equity is actually borrowable.