How do I calculate remaining VA entitlement?

Multiply the applicable one-unit county loan limit by 25%, then subtract the entitlement already charged on the Certificate of Eligibility. The result is the estimated remaining entitlement.

Do VA borrowers with full entitlement have a loan limit?

VA does not impose a county loan limit on borrowers with full entitlement. The borrower must still qualify with a lender, and the property value must support the loan.

Why might a VA loan require a down payment?

A down payment may be required when the remaining entitlement is not enough to provide the guaranty required for the proposed purchase, or when the purchase price exceeds the appraised value.

Where do I find entitlement already charged?

Look for the Prior Loans Charged to Entitlement table on the VA Certificate of Eligibility and use the amount shown in the Entitlement Charged column.

VA Entitlement Calculator

See what your VA benefit may still cover.

Q: Can I have two VA loans at the same time?

It may be possible to have more than one VA loan when sufficient entitlement remains and the borrower meets occupancy, credit, income, and lender requirements.

Already used a VA loan? Enter the entitlement charged on your Certificate of Eligibility to estimate your remaining entitlement, zero-down buying power, and any down payment that may be required.

Calculate your remaining entitlement.

This estimate separates entitlement-related down payment from a possible appraisal gap. Closing costs and the VA funding fee are not included.

1. What does your COE show?

2. Enter the purchase details

Proposed purchase price

Expected appraised value (optional)

Used only to estimate a possible appraisal gap.

One-unit county loan limit

2026 baseline. High-cost counties may be higher. Find your county limit ↗

Entitlement already charged

Use the total shown in the Entitlement Charged column on your COE.

Your estimate

Your remaining entitlement may cover this price with no required down payment.

Enter the amount charged on your COE to see an estimate based on your situation.

Estimated remaining entitlement —

Maximum price supported with no entitlement-based down payment —

Estimated entitlement down payment —

Estimated appraisal gap —

Estimated minimum contribution —

Educational estimate only. This is not an approval or guaranty determination. The VA and your lender must verify your COE, entitlement, occupancy, property value, credit, income and loan eligibility.

Review My COE VA Loan Guide

Plain-language guide

What VA entitlement actually means.

Entitlement is not money paid to you, and it is not your maximum loan amount. It is the portion of a VA-backed loan that the Department of Veterans Affairs agrees to guaranty for the lender. Whether a county loan limit affects you depends primarily on whether you have full entitlement or entitlement already charged.

Full entitlement

If you have full entitlement, VA does not impose a county loan limit. You must still qualify for the payment, and the property’s appraised value must support the loan.

Bonus entitlement

Bonus entitlement is also called second-tier entitlement. It is the additional guaranty available for loans above $144,000. If entitlement is already charged, the remaining amount is tied to the applicable one-unit county loan limit.

Remaining entitlement

For this estimate, we multiply the county limit by 25% and subtract the entitlement already charged on your COE. Multiplying what remains by four estimates the price supported without an entitlement-based down payment.

Information reviewed September 2026. Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs entitlement guidance and FHFA 2026 conforming loan limits.

Common questions

VA entitlement, without the jargon.

Your COE looks technical. The decision it supports is much simpler: how much guaranty remains, and is it enough for the home you want to buy?

What is VA bonus entitlement?

Bonus entitlement, also called second-tier entitlement, is the additional VA guaranty available for loans above $144,000. When some entitlement is already charged, the applicable county loan limit helps determine how much remains.

How do I calculate my remaining VA entitlement?

Multiply the applicable one-unit county loan limit by 25%, then subtract the entitlement already charged on your COE. The calculator above performs that calculation and converts the remaining entitlement into an estimated zero-down purchase amount.

Do I have a loan limit with full entitlement?

VA does not impose a county loan limit when you have full entitlement. That does not mean unlimited borrowing. Your lender must still approve the loan based on income, debts, credit and assets, and the property value must support the transaction.

Can I have two VA loans at the same time?

Sometimes. You may be able to retain a home financed with VA and use remaining entitlement for another primary residence. Sufficient entitlement, qualifying income, occupancy and lender requirements all apply.

Why could a VA loan require a down payment?

A down payment may be required when your remaining entitlement does not provide enough guaranty for the proposed purchase. You may also need to cover the difference when the purchase price is higher than the appraised value. The calculator shows those two amounts separately.

Where do I find entitlement charged on my COE?

Look for the “Prior Loans Charged to Entitlement” table and use the amount shown in the “Entitlement Charged” column. If more than one prior loan appears, use the total amount still charged.

Not sure what your COE is telling you?

Our VA-focused team can retrieve or review your Certificate of Eligibility, confirm the entitlement calculation and explain your options before you make an offer.

Schedule a COE Review