VA loans are genuinely unusual: 0% down payment allowed, no PMI or MIP ever — but almost every borrower pays a one-time VA funding fee instead, and the rate depends on two things most people don't think to check together.
Va funding fee calculator 2026, tiered by down payment
The fee drops as your down payment rises: 2.15% (first-time use) under 5% down, 1.5% at 5-9.9% down, and 1.25% at 10%+ down. On a $350,000 loan with 0% down, that's $7,525 added straight to the loan balance — verified against the 2026 published VA rate schedule.
Va loan first time vs subsequent use, a meaningful gap at low down payments
Use your VA loan benefit a second time with under 5% down, and the same tier jumps from 2.15% to 3.3% — a real difference this tool calculates directly. At 5% down or more, first-time and subsequent use actually cost the same.
Va loan calculator no down payment, with the exemption checked
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating, Purple Heart recipients, and certain surviving spouses are exempt from the funding fee entirely — check the exemption box and this tool removes it completely instead of making you calculate the fee and then mentally subtract it.
