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Points • Free Calculator

Mortgage Points Calculator

Discount points let you pay upfront to lower your rate. See the cost and how long it takes to break even. Enter your own rates and terms; nothing here quotes a specific rate.

Your scenario

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One point equals 1% of the loan amount. Estimates for education only; you enter your own rates. No MortgageQuote.com rate is quoted or implied.

Break-even on points

months to break even
Cost of points
Payment without points
Payment with points
Monthly savings

What discount points are

Discount points are an upfront fee you can pay at closing to lower your interest rate for the life of the loan. One point equals one percent of the loan amount. Paying points is sometimes called "buying down" the rate. Because it costs money now to save money each month, the key question is how long it takes for the monthly savings to recover the upfront cost, your break-even point.

When points make sense

Points tend to favor borrowers who will keep the loan well beyond the break-even point, since that is when the accumulated savings exceed the upfront cost. If you might sell or refinance before then, paying points is less likely to pay off. This tool estimates the cost, the monthly savings, and the break-even so you can decide with your own numbers.

Points are different from a temporary buydown

Discount points lower your rate permanently for the full term. A temporary buydown lowers your rate only for the first year or two. If you are comparing options, our points article and buydown calculator can help clarify the difference.