Home Loan Interest Calculator with Bi-Weekly Payments
This calculator compares standard monthly amortization, a simple bi‑weekly schedule (26 equal payments per year), and accelerated bi‑weekly (half of the monthly payment every two weeks). Enter the loan principal, APR, loan term, and any extra payment you plan to add to each payment period. Extra contributions are interpreted as an amount added to each periodic payment.
Results estimate per‑period payment, estimated years to payoff, and total interest paid. Calculations assume a fixed interest rate and that extra payments are applied directly to principal on the payment date. Use the findings for planning; always confirm numbers with your lender and your loan documents.
Calculate as 26 equal payments per year. This method treats each bi‑weekly payment as a full periodic payment with periodic rate = APR/26. Enter extra contributions as an amount added to each bi‑weekly payment.
Inputs
Results
Bi‑weekly scheduled payment (no extras)
$621.48
Bi‑weekly payment including extra
$621.48
Estimated years to payoff
30
Estimated total interest paid
$184,753.30
| Output | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Bi‑weekly scheduled payment (no extras) | $621.48 | currency |
| Bi‑weekly payment including extra | $621.48 | currency |
| Estimated years to payoff | 30 | years |
| Estimated total interest paid | $184,753.30 | currency |
Visualization
Methodology
Calculations use standard fixed‑rate amortization math: periodic rate = APR / periods per year; scheduled payment is computed from the annuity formula. If extra per‑period payments are present, the number of periods to payoff is estimated with the closed‑form formula for loan amortization.
Accelerated bi‑weekly mode computes the standard monthly payment first and then treats each bi‑weekly payment as half of that monthly amount (plus any extra). The bi‑weekly schedule produces 26 payments per year which is equivalent to an extra monthly payment across the year.
We follow best practices for numerical stability and rounding when presenting results. For secure handling of inputs and privacy of transmitted data, implementations should follow NIST cybersecurity guidance (NIST SP 800 series) and organizational quality management practices such as ISO 9001.
Worked examples
Example: $300,000 principal, 3.5% APR, 30 years, no extra: Monthly scheduled payment ≈ computed monthly payment; Bi‑weekly (26) payment will be lower per period but more frequent, changing total interest and payoff time.
Example: Same loan with an extra $50 added to each bi‑weekly payment will reduce the loan term and total interest — the calculator reports the estimated years saved and interest saved.
Further resources
Expert Q&A
Does switching to bi‑weekly always save interest?
If a bi‑weekly plan increases the total number of payments per year (e.g., 26 payments instead of 12), you typically pay down principal faster and save interest. If a lender simply divides the monthly payment by two without increasing annual payments, there is no interest saving. Always confirm the loan servicing rules with your lender.
How does accelerated bi‑weekly differ from bi‑weekly?
Accelerated bi‑weekly uses half of the monthly payment every two weeks, resulting in 26 half‑payments per year (effectively 13 monthly payments). Simple bi‑weekly calculated as 26 equal payments can be similar depending on rounding and how the lender applies payments.
Are these results exact?
These are mathematical estimates under the stated assumptions (fixed APR, extras applied immediately to principal, no fees). Actual payoff timing and interest depend on lender policies, payment posting dates, compounding conventions, escrow changes, and fees. Use results as planning estimates and verify with your servicer.
What should I check with my lender?
Confirm how the lender applies extra payments (to principal vs interest), whether bi‑weekly plans require enrollment or fees, whether payments are posted on receipt date, and the exact compounding convention. Ask for an amortization schedule from the servicer.
Sources & citations
- NIST — Security and Privacy Controls — https://www.nist.gov/standardsgov/nist
- ISO — Quality management principles — https://www.iso.org/iso-9001-quality-management.html
- IEEE — Standards overview — https://www.ieee.org/standards/index.html
- OSHA — Workplace safety and compliance — https://www.osha.gov