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Mortgage Payment Calculator Canada
Content last updated: March 16, 2020
Our mortgage payment calculator calculates your monthly payment and shows you the corresponding amortization schedule. If you are purchasing a home, our payment calculator allows you to test down payment and amortization scenarios, and compare variable and fixed mortgage rates. We also help you calculate CMHC insurance and land transfer tax. Advertising Disclosure
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How to estimate mortgage payments
Calculating mortgage payments used to be complex, but mortgage payment calculators have made it much easier. Our mortgage payment calculator gives you everything you need to test different scenarios, to help you decide what mortgage is right for you. Here’s a little more information on how the calculator works.
There are several factors that go into estimating how much your regular mortgage payments will be. These 3 numbers are particularly important:
1. The total mortgage amount: This is the price of your new home, less the down payment, plus mortgage insurance, if applicable.
2. The amortization period: This is the total life of your mortgage, and the number of years the mortgage payments will be spread across.
3. The mortgage rate: This is the rate of interest you pay on your mortgage.
How to use the mortgage payment calculator
To use the calculator, start by entering the purchase price, then select an amortization period and mortgage rate. The calculator shows the best rates available in your province, but you can also add a different rate. The calculator will now show you what your mortgage payments will be.
By default, the mortgage payment calculator will show four different monthly payments, depending on the size of your down payment. It will automatically calculate the cost of CMHC insurance. You can change the size of your down payment and the payment frequency to see how your regular payment will be affected
Our calculator also shows you what the land transfer tax will be, and approximately how much cash you’ll need for closing costs. You can also use the calculator to estimate your total monthly expenses, see what your payments would be if mortgage rates go up, and show what your outstanding balance will be over time.
If you’re buying a new home, it’s a good idea to use the calculator to determine what you can afford before you start looking at real estate listings. If you’re renewing or refinancing and know the total amount of the mortgage, use the “Renewal or Refinance” tab to estimate mortgage payments without accounting for a down payment.
How to lower your mortgage payments
There are a few ways to lower your monthly mortgage payments. You can reduce the purchase price, make a bigger down payment, extend the amortization period, or find a lower mortgage rate. Use the calculator to see what your payment would be in different scenarios.
Keep in mind that if your down payment is less than 20%, your maximum amortization period is 25 years. As for finding a lower mortgage rate, it’s a good idea to speak to a mortgage broker for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is your mortgage payment calculator free?
Yes, our mortgage payment calculator is free. In fact, all of our calculators, articles, and rate comparison tables are free. Ratehub.ca earns revenue through advertising and commission, rather than by charging users. We promote the lowest rates in each province offered by brokers, and allow them to reach customers online.
Why does your monthly calculator have four columns?
We think it's important for you to compare your options side by side. We start the calculator by outlining the four most common options for down payment scenarios, but you are not limited to those options. We also allow you to vary amortization period as well as interest rates, so you'll know how a variable vs. fixed mortgage rate changes your payment.
How do payments differ by province in Canada?
Most mortgage regulation in Canada is consistent across the provinces. This includes the minimum down payment of 5%, and the maximum amortization period 35 years, for example. However, there are some mortgage rules that vary between provinces. This table summarizes the differences:
| PST on CMHC insurance | Land transfer taxes | Land transfer rebate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | YES | YES | |
| Alberta | |||
| Saskatchewan | YES | ||
| Manitoba | YES | ||
| Ontario | YES | YES | YES |
| Quebec | YES | YES | |
| New Brunswick | YES | ||
| Nova Scotia | YES | ||
| Prince Edward Island | YES | ||
| Newfoundland and Labrador | YES |
What is CMHC Insurance?
CMHC insurance (or mortgage default insurance) protects lenders from mortgages that default. CMHC insurance is mandatory for all mortgages in Canada with down payments of less than 20% (high-ratio mortgages). This is an additional cost to you, and is calculated as a percentage of your total mortgage amount. For more information on mortgage default insurance rates, please read our guide to mortgage default insurance (CMHC insurance).
What is an amortization schedule?
An amortization schedule shows your monthly payments over time and also indicates the portion of each payment paying down your principal vs. interest. The maximum amortization in Canada is 25 years on down payments less than 20%. The maximum amortization period for all mortgages is 35 years.
Though your amortization may be 25 years, your term will be much shorter. With the most common term in Canada being 5 years, your amortization will be up for renewal before your mortgage is paid off, which is why our amortization schedule shows you the balance of your mortgage at the end of your term.
Learn more about the difference between mortgage amortization and terms here.