United States · Federal·Updated for 2026·Figures in USD · recast terms are set by your servicer
Mortgage Recast Calculator (2026)
A recast lowers your monthly payment without changing your interest rate or your payoff date. You pay a lump sum toward principal, the lender re-amortises the remaining balance over the remaining term, and the payment drops. This calculator shows your new payment, and whether the lender's fee is worth paying.
Enter your balance, rate, months remaining and lump sum. Your new payment appears here as you type — there is no button to press.
Calculating
Recast or just pay it down?
The same money usually saves far more interest when it shortens the term, but the recast is what lowers your monthly bill. Which is right depends on whether you need cash flow now or less interest overall.
RecastLowers your bill
Payment
—
Term
—
Interest saved
—
Cost
a fee
Extra principal paymentSaves more interest
Payment
—
Term
—
Interest saved
—
Cost
free
Enter your loan details above to compare the two routes with your own numbers.
Is the fee worth it?
Enter your loan details to see how long the recast fee takes to pay back.
A recast fee is a flat charge, typically $150 to $500, whatever the size of the lump sum. Divide it by how much your payment falls and you get the months it takes to earn the fee back. Under 12 months is generally worth it. Fees vary — confirm yours with your servicer.
Show the mathsSee how this was worked outHide
Assumes a fixed rate, level monthly payments and a servicer that re-amortises over the same remaining term. Your servicer's figures may differ by a few cents. Fees, minimums and eligibility are set by your servicer — confirm them before relying on any result.
Updated ·Source: Lender guidance·Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded
Confirm your loan type — government-backed loans (FHA, VA, USDA) don't offer recasting.
Ask for the minimum lump sum. It is commonly $5,000 to $10,000, and some servicers ask for more.
Ask for the recast fee. It is typically $150 to $500, but every servicer sets its own.
Ask whether there is a waiting period after origination — some lenders impose 30 to 90 days.
Ask how long the recast takes to appear, and whether your loan needs to be current.
Recasting, in plain English
What is a mortgage recast?
A mortgage recast, also called re-amortisation, is when you pay a lump sum toward your principal and your lender recalculates your monthly payment on the new, lower balance. The interest rate stays the same and so does your payoff date, so the term does not shorten — the payment does. The lump sum is usually at least $5,000 to $10,000, and some servicers require more. Some lenders also impose a waiting period of 30 to 90 days after origination. Confirm with your servicer.
Recast vs refinance — which is cheaper?
A recast is usually the cheaper route when you already like your interest rate, because it costs a flat fee rather than a new loan's closing costs. A refinance replaces the loan, so it is the one that can change your rate, but it brings costs and paperwork a recast avoids.
Recast
Refinance
Interest rate
Stays the same
Can change — a new loan at a new rate
Term and payoff date
Unchanged
Reset, unless you choose otherwise
Cost
A flat fee, typically $150 to $500
Closing costs on a new loan
Appraisal and credit check
Not required
Usually required
Needs a lump sum
Yes — commonly $5,000 to $10,000 or more
No
If your rate is already low, recasting keeps it. If rates have fallen well below yours, a refinance may save more overall. Fees and minimums vary by servicer — confirm yours.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional conforming loans are generally eligible, subject to lender approval. Jumbo loans are at the lender's discretion. Government-backed loan programs (FHA, VA, USDA) don't offer recasting. This is the position lenders and servicers publish, not a legal ruling — confirm with your servicer.
How much does a recast cost?
Most servicers charge a flat fee of about $150 to $500, regardless of the size of the lump sum. There is no appraisal, no credit check and no closing costs. On a $400,000 balance at 6.5% with300 months left, a $50,000 lump sum cuts the payment from $2,700.83 to$2,363.23. With a $250 fee, that is 1 monthto earn the fee back. Under 12 months is generally worth it; longer, and you may be better off paying the lump sum without recasting. Fees vary — confirm yours with your servicer.
Recast vs extra payments
The two routes use the same money differently. A recast lowers your payment and leaves your term alone. Paying the same amount as extra principal keeps your payment and shortens your term. In the example above, the $50,000 saves$51,282.44 of interest as a recast, but $155,052.77 as an extra principal payment, which pays the loan off 75 months sooner.
Choose…
When
A recast
You need a lower monthly bill now — to free up cash flow after a windfall, say — and you plan to keep the loan.
Extra principal
Your payment is comfortable and you want to be debt-free sooner and pay the least interest overall. It is free, and it works on every loan type.
Figures are illustrative — confirm fees and minimums with your servicer.
Mortgage recast FAQ
Does a recast change my interest rate or payoff date?
No. A recast keeps the same interest rate and the same payoff date. Only the monthly payment changes, because the lower balance is spread over the same remaining term.
How big does the lump sum have to be?
Servicers commonly ask for a minimum of $5,000 to $10,000, and some ask for more. Confirm with your servicer.
Can I recast an FHA, VA or USDA loan?
No. Government-backed loan programs (FHA, VA, USDA) don't offer recasting. You can still pay extra toward principal, which shortens your term instead of lowering your payment. Confirm with your servicer.
How soon after closing can I recast?
Some lenders impose a waiting period of 30 to 90 days after origination before they will recast. Policies differ, so confirm with your servicer.
Is a recast worth the fee?
Divide the fee by how much your monthly payment falls. If that is under 12 months, a recast is generally worth it; if it takes longer, you may be better off making the lump-sum payment without recasting. The calculator above does the sum for you. Fees vary — confirm yours with your servicer.
How accurate is this calculator?
It assumes a fixed rate, level monthly payments and a servicer that re-amortises over the same remaining term. Your servicer's figures can differ by a few cents. Fees, minimums and eligibility are set by your servicer — confirm them before relying on any result.
Planning defaults only. The fee range, the $5,000–$10,000 minimum lump sum and the loan-type map reflect commonly published lender guidance. They are not a rule and not the policy of any specific lender or servicer. Recast availability, fees and minimums are set by each servicer — you must confirm them with your own servicer before relying on any result. The 12-month fee-payback threshold is a rule of thumb, not a lender rule.
