Mortgage Calculators

ARM vs. Fixed Rate Mortgage

A lower ARM rate saves money early but carries reset risk. Compare it against a fixed-rate mortgage to weigh the trade-off.

Inputs

Loan amount

Loan term (years)

ARM initial rate

Fixed rate

ARM fixed period (years)

ARM rate after reset

Estimates only. Change any value to recalculate instantly.

Saved during the ARM intro period $15,515 $258.59/mo lower for 5 years

ARM initial payment $1,816.92

ARM payment after reset $2,186.48 at 7.50%

Fixed payment $2,075.51

ARM lifetime interest $444,960 vs $427,185 fixed

Initial payment compared

ARM payment $1.8k
Fixed premium $259

Loan balance ARMFixed

The ARM saves $15,515 over its 5-year intro period, but at 7.50% after reset its payment becomes $2,186.48 and lifetime interest runs $17,775 higher than the fixed loan. An ARM suits buyers who expect to move or refinance before the reset; a fixed rate buys certainty.

Balance & cumulative interest by year (ARM resets at year 5)View table

Year	ARM balance	Fixed balance	ARM interest	Fixed interest
1	$315,689	$316,590	$17,492	$21,496
2	$311,135	$312,942	$34,742	$42,754
3	$306,325	$309,040	$51,734	$63,758
4	$301,243	$304,866	$68,455	$84,491
5	$295,874	$300,402	$84,889	$104,933
6	$291,685	$295,627	$106,938	$125,064
7	$287,170	$290,520	$128,661	$144,863
8	$282,305	$285,057	$150,034	$164,306
9	$277,062	$279,213	$171,029	$183,369
10	$271,413	$272,963	$191,617	$202,025
11	$265,324	$266,278	$211,767	$220,246
12	$258,763	$259,127	$231,443	$238,001
13	$251,693	$251,478	$250,611	$255,258
14	$244,074	$243,296	$269,230	$271,983
15	$235,863	$234,545	$287,257	$288,138
16	$227,015	$225,185	$304,646	$303,684
17	$217,480	$215,173	$321,349	$318,578
18	$207,205	$204,463	$337,312	$332,774
19	$196,132	$193,008	$352,477	$346,226
20	$184,200	$180,756	$366,782	$358,879
21	$171,341	$167,650	$380,161	$370,680
22	$157,484	$153,632	$392,541	$381,568
23	$142,551	$138,638	$403,846	$391,480
24	$126,459	$122,600	$413,992	$400,348
25	$109,117	$105,445	$422,888	$408,099
26	$90,429	$87,095	$430,438	$414,655
27	$70,291	$67,468	$436,538	$419,935
28	$48,589	$46,474	$441,074	$423,847
29	$25,202	$24,019	$443,925	$426,298
30	$0	$0	$444,960	$427,185

How this calculator works

This calculator runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is sent anywhere, and there is no sign-up. Change any input and the result, breakdown, and schedule update instantly.

Rate and cost fields are pre-filled with current benchmarks (Federal Reserve / Freddie Mac via FRED (St. Louis Fed)), so your first result is already realistic — replace them with your own quote to see your numbers. To weigh one option against another, use the loan comparison calculator.

30-year fixed mortgage rate, 2019–2026

Source: Freddie Mac PMMS via FRED. Annual averages; latest weekly reading shown.

Common questions

Is this calculator free, and do I need to sign up?

Yes and no — it is completely free and asks for no account or personal details. Every calculation happens in your browser, so nothing you type is stored or sent to us.

How accurate are the results?

The math is exact for the inputs you give it, but the defaults are national benchmarks — your real rate, fees, taxes, and insurance will differ. Treat the result as a close estimate to refine with a real quote.