Combined Loan-to-Value (CLTV) Calculator
Calculate your combined loan-to-value ratio (CLTV) using your first mortgage, second mortgage, and any drawn HELOC balance. This helps you see how much of your home is already spoken for and whether a piggyback loan, refinance, or home-equity plan still fits inside a reasonable risk range.
What you’ll get
Your LTV, your CLTV, your total secured debt, your remaining equity, and how much room is left before you hit common 80% and 90% CLTV planning lines.
Best use case
Use this when you have more than one loan touching the same property: a piggyback second mortgage, a closed-end home equity loan, or a HELOC with an actual drawn balance.
Important note
This tool calculates CLTV, not HCLTV. For CLTV, a HELOC counts by the amount currently drawn. For HCLTV, the full credit line matters, which is a separate calculation.
CLTV Calculator
For a purchase, use the lower of the sales price or appraised value as your property value. For a refinance, use the current appraised value. If you have a HELOC, only enter the drawn balance here, not the full credit line.
CLTV counts drawn HELOC only
Lower CLTV usually gives more room
What CLTV means in plain English
Regular LTV looks only at the first mortgage. CLTV looks at the full stack of secured borrowing that touches the property. That means the first mortgage, plus any closed-end second mortgage, plus the drawn portion of a HELOC.
That matters because a house can look safe at the first-mortgage level while being much tighter once you include everything else. A first mortgage at 80% LTV can turn into a 90% CLTV the second you add a piggyback loan. Same house. Same buyer. Very different risk picture.
For normal people, this is the practical test: how much of your home is already pledged to debt? The higher that number gets, the less wiggle room you usually have on pricing, approval, or future borrowing moves.
LTV vs CLTV vs HCLTV
| Ratio | What it counts | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| LTV | First mortgage only | Basic purchase or refinance planning when there is only one loan |
| CLTV | First mortgage + second mortgage + drawn HELOC balance | Piggyback loans, second mortgages, and current-balance planning |
| HCLTV | First mortgage + second mortgage + the full HELOC line amount | HELOC underwriting when the lender wants the total available line counted, not just what is currently drawn |
That last distinction matters a lot. People often think a HELOC only counts by what they have borrowed so far. That is true for CLTV, but HCLTV can be stricter because it uses the full line amount. That is why a HELOC-heavy situation can look fine under one metric and tighter under another.
Real-world use cases
1. The classic 80 / 10 / 10 piggyback loan
You buy a $500,000 house with a first mortgage of $400,000, a second mortgage of $50,000, and a $50,000 down payment. Your first-mortgage LTV is 80%, but your CLTV is 90%. That can be useful if you are trying to keep the first mortgage at 80% and avoid PMI, but it still means 90% of the property is leveraged overall.
2. A homeowner with a HELOC already open
Maybe your first mortgage is manageable, but you have also drawn $25,000 from a HELOC for repairs or debt consolidation. Your lender may look at the property much differently once that extra balance is counted. That is why CLTV matters even if your original purchase looked conservative.
3. Refinance or new borrowing decisions
If you want to refinance, add a second lien, or tap home equity, CLTV gives you a fast reality check. Sometimes the monthly payment looks fine, but the real issue is that the stacked debt already pushes the property too hard.
What changes CLTV the most
- The size of the first mortgage. This is still the biggest driver for most buyers.
- Whether you add a second lien. A piggyback loan changes the whole picture quickly.
- Your HELOC draw amount. For CLTV, only the amount you actually drew counts. That is different from HCLTV.
- The property value you should actually use. On a purchase, lenders often work off the lower of the sales price or appraised value. If the appraisal comes in low, your ratio can get worse fast.
- Market value changes. If your home value falls, the same debt stack produces a higher CLTV.
Vetted sources behind this page
Best tools + best videos
Best internal tools first
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Down Payment Calculator
Loan-to-Value (LTV) Calculator
PMI Calculator
Cash to Close Calculator
Best external tools
Video: What CLTV means
Useful if you want a quick visual explanation of how CLTV is different from first-mortgage LTV.
Video: Piggyback loan basics
Helpful if you are looking at an 80 / 10 / 10 setup and want to understand why CLTV matters in the first place.
FAQ
What is the difference between LTV and CLTV?
LTV looks only at the first mortgage. CLTV adds the first mortgage, second mortgage, and any drawn HELOC balance together and compares that total against the property value.
Does a HELOC count in CLTV?
Yes, but for CLTV it is generally the drawn portion that matters. If a lender is using HCLTV, the full HELOC line may be counted instead.
Why does CLTV matter?
Because it shows how leveraged the property really is once all secured debt is counted. A borrower can look fine on first-mortgage LTV alone and still have a much tighter risk profile once the second lien or drawn HELOC is included.
Is a lower CLTV always better?
Usually yes from a risk and flexibility standpoint. Lower CLTV generally means more equity cushion and often better odds of stronger terms. But the right number still depends on your full credit, income, reserves, product, and lender rules.
Can CLTV go over 100%?
Yes. If your total secured debt is greater than the current property value, your CLTV is above 100%. That is a very tight position and usually limits options sharply.
Next steps + internal links
Read next in this cluster:
Disclosure
Education only. This page is not financial, tax, legal, or mortgage advice. CLTV rules, product limits, pricing, and underwriting overlays can vary by lender and loan program. Verify the final numbers with your lender and official disclosures before making a decision.
Assumptions and Limitations
- Assumes a fixed interest rate for the full loan term. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) work differently.
- Property taxes and homeowner’s insurance are estimated — your actual escrow amount will come from your lender.
- HOA fees are not included. Add those separately when comparing monthly payment to your budget.
- PMI costs assume standard lender-placed PMI on conventional loans. FHA MIP has different rates and different cancellation rules.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or mortgage advice. Consult a licensed mortgage professional for figures specific to your situation.
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- FDIC — Consumer Resource Center
- Federal Trade Commission — Money
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