House down payment savings calculator
Put in the down payment you're aiming for and roughly when you want to buy. It shows the monthly, weekly, or per-paycheck amount to have it ready — closing costs included if you add them in.
Enter an amount and a future date to see how much to save.
Rough example: $40,000 over about 36 months is around $1,111/month, $256/week, or $1,111 per paycheck. Enter your own amount and date above for your number.
Choosing a down payment amount
Down payments commonly range from 3% to 20% of the price. Twenty percent lets you skip mortgage insurance, but many buyers put down less and adjust. Decide on a price range, pick your percentage, and add a few thousand for closing costs and moving — that total is your goal here.
Long timelines and where to keep the money
Down payment saving often runs three to five years. This calculator uses plain division with no growth assumption; if you keep the money in a high-yield savings account or short-term instrument, treat any interest as getting ahead of schedule. Money you need within a couple of years usually should not go into the stock market.
Common questions
- How much should I save each month for a house down payment?
- Divide your target down payment by the months until you want to buy. $36,000 over three years is $1,000 a month. Enter your own numbers above.
- Should I include closing costs?
- Yes — add roughly 2–5% of the purchase price to your goal so you're not caught short at closing.
- How much house can that down payment cover?
- At 10% down, a $40,000 down payment corresponds to about a $400,000 home; at 20%, about $200,000. Your lender's pre-approval gives you the real range.
Saving for more than one thing?
The full planner keeps every goal in one place, tracks progress with a visual tracker, and lets you shift a target date and see the new amount instantly. Still free, still private, still stored only on your device.
Open the full planner