Estimate remaining VA entitlement and see how it impacts your no-down-payment purchase power and potential down payment needs.
VA Entitlement Calculator
How to use this calculator
Enter your status (first-time VA use or subsequent use), the county where you're buying, and the target home price. If you've used VA before, enter the original loan amount and indicate whether the prior VA-financed home has been sold and the loan paid off. The calculator computes your remaining VA entitlement and the no-down-payment purchase power that entitlement supports. It also flags any down payment required if your remaining entitlement falls below 25% of the target purchase price. The result tells you three things: the maximum no-down VA loan amount you can take, any down payment required to clear the entitlement gap, and whether you're inside or outside the conforming loan limit for your county (which determines whether bonus entitlement applies).
How the math works
VA entitlement has two components. Basic entitlement is $36,000 (a fixed amount). Bonus entitlement covers the difference between basic entitlement and 25% of the conforming loan limit for your county. In most counties for 2026, the conforming limit is $766,550, producing total entitlement of about $191,638 (25% of the limit). High-cost counties have higher limits and proportionally higher total entitlement. If you've never used VA, your full entitlement supports a no-down VA loan up to the county loan limit. Past first use, remaining entitlement = total entitlement − used entitlement (used entitlement is the guaranteed amount on any prior VA loan still outstanding). Example structure: if a prior VA loan consumed part of your entitlement and that loan is still outstanding, the calculator subtracts used entitlement from total entitlement to compute remaining entitlement. The lender requires 25% of the lesser of purchase price or county limit as guaranteed amount; if remaining entitlement is below that figure, the difference becomes the required down payment on the new purchase. The calculator surfaces both the no-down purchase ceiling and any required down payment for purchases above that ceiling.
When to use this vs the others
Use this calculator before making an offer on a home if you've used VA benefits before. If you have full first-time entitlement and your target home is below the county loan limit, the math is simple — zero down works. The complications arise on subsequent use, after a partial entitlement restoration, or when buying above the county limit. After confirming entitlement here, run the full payment math through the standard mortgage calculator to see your monthly PITI including the VA funding fee.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my entitlement has been restored?
If you sold your prior VA-financed home and the loan was paid in full, your entitlement fully restores after the VA processes the payoff. If you assumed a VA loan to a non-veteran or transferred entitlement, restoration rules differ. Pull a current Certificate of Eligibility (COE) via your lender or VA.gov to see your exact remaining entitlement.
Can I use VA twice at the same time?
Yes, if you have enough remaining entitlement. Active-duty service members frequently end up with two VA loans during PCS moves — keeping the prior home as a rental while purchasing the new home. The calculator shows whether your remaining entitlement supports the second purchase no-down or requires a down payment.
What's the funding fee on subsequent VA use?
Subsequent use with zero down: 3.3% of the loan amount. With 5–10% down: 1.5%. With 10%+ down: 1.25%. First-use is lower (2.15% zero-down). Disability-exempt borrowers (10%+ service-connected) pay nothing. The funding fee is rolled into the loan balance in most cases.
Does this calculator handle high-cost counties?
Yes — enter your county and the calculator pulls the applicable conforming loan limit (which determines your bonus entitlement). High-cost counties in California, New York, DC, and parts of Florida and Hawaii have limits up to $1,149,825 for 2026, materially expanding zero-down purchase power for VA borrowers there.
What if my entitlement isn't enough?
You can still use VA — you'll just need a down payment of 25% on the gap between your remaining entitlement coverage and the purchase price. Many veterans use this structure when buying a second home while keeping the first VA-financed home as a rental. The calculator shows the exact down payment required for your scenario.