Underwriting Fees Calculator

Calculator inputs

Choose a fee method, add optional charges, then calculate.

Large: 3 columns Small: 2 columns Mobile: 1 column

Loan amount

$

Enter the principal amount used for fee calculations.

Underwriting fee method

Select how the underwriting fee is priced.

Fee rate

%

Typical ranges: 0.25% to 1.00%.

Flat underwriting fee

$

Use when your lender quotes a fixed amount.

Fee per $1,000

$ / 1,000

The fee scales linearly with loan size.

Credit score

Used to estimate the tiered rate.

Loan-to-value (LTV)

%

Higher LTV may increase underwriting effort.

Loan term

months

Used only for the equivalent monthly cost view.

Optional add-ons

Enter 0 to exclude a fee.

Processing fee

$

Admin fee

$

Appraisal fee

$

Credit report fee

$

Flood certification fee

$

Tax service fee

$

Other fee

$

Use for any additional charge not listed.

Jump to example table

Required field

Formula used

Percentage: Underwriting fee = Loan amount × (Rate ÷ 100).
Flat: Underwriting fee = Fixed amount entered.
Per $1,000: Underwriting fee = (Loan amount ÷ 1,000) × Rate.
Tiered: Rate is chosen by credit score band and adjusted by LTV band.
Total fees: Total = Underwriting fee + Sum of add-ons.
Equivalent monthly cost: Total fees ÷ Term months.

How to use this calculator

Enter the loan amount and select your fee method.
Fill only the fields shown for that method.
Add optional charges like appraisal or credit report fees.
Set the loan term to view an equivalent monthly cost.
Press Calculate to see results above the form.
Use the download buttons to export your report.

Example data table

Sample scenarios to understand how different fee methods affect totals.

Scenario	Loan amount	Method	Rate / amount	Underwriting fee	Example add-ons	Total fees
A	$250,000	Percentage	0.50%	$1,250.00	$650.00	$1,900.00
B	$180,000	Flat	$795.00	$795.00	$475.00	$1,270.00
C	$420,000	Per $1,000	$6.50	$2,730.00	$900.00	$3,630.00
D	$300,000	Tiered	Score 760, LTV 75%	$1,050.00	$700.00	$1,750.00
E	$300,000	Tiered	Score 660, LTV 92%	$3,600.00	$700.00	$4,300.00

These examples are illustrative and may not match a lender’s pricing grid. Always confirm official fees on your loan estimate.

Why underwriting fees exist

Underwriting reviews income, assets, credit, property details, and compliance items before a lender commits capital. The fee helps cover staffing, data vendors, and quality control. Many consumer loans price near $500 to $1,500, or about 0.25% to 1.00% of principal. On a $250,000 loan, a 0.50% rate produces $1,250, funding verification calls, document audits, and layered approvals.

Common pricing structures

Lenders quote underwriting as a percentage, a flat charge, or a per‑$1,000 amount. Percentage pricing scales with balance, so $180,000 at 0.60% equals $1,080. A flat $795 favors larger loans, while $6.50 per $1,000 means $420,000 generates $2,730. Some programs bundle underwriting with processing or admin, so comparing the lender‑only subtotal helps normalize offers.

Risk factors that change fees

Pricing may adjust for borrower strength and collateral risk. Higher credit scores can reduce review intensity, while higher loan‑to‑value ratios can increase scrutiny. Many internal grids add pricing above 90% LTV and discount below 60% LTV; a 0.20% shift on $300,000 changes fees by $600. Lenders may also price for occupancy type, documentation level, complex income, cash‑out requests, or tight closing timelines.

Separating lender and third‑party charges

Underwriting, processing, and admin items are usually lender controlled, but appraisal, credit report, flood certification, and tax service are commonly third‑party pass‑throughs. Tracking them separately helps you compare estimates across offers. A $650 appraisal difference matters just as much as a 0.10% underwriting rate swing on $250,000, which is $250. Use the add‑on fields to mirror your loan estimate line items and avoid missing small charges.

Using the calculator output

Use the breakdown to verify disclosures and negotiate where possible. If total fees equal 0.75% of the loan, compare that figure against competing quotes and service levels. The equivalent monthly view spreads costs over the term; for example, $1,900 over 360 months is about $5.28 per month. This helps you decide whether to pay points, accept a higher rate with lower fees, finance fees into the balance, or shop again.

FAQs

1) What is an underwriting fee?

It is a charge for evaluating risk, verifying documents, and confirming the loan meets program rules before approval and funding.

2) Are underwriting fees negotiable?

Sometimes. Lenders may reduce or waive lender-controlled items for strong borrowers, larger relationships, or competitive matches. Third-party charges usually cannot be discounted.

3) How do percentage and per-$1,000 methods differ?

Both scale with loan size. Percentage uses a percent of principal, while per-$1,000 multiplies the balance in thousand-dollar units by a fixed rate.

4) Does a higher credit score always lower the fee?

Not always. Some lenders use flat pricing, and others apply tiered grids that also consider LTV, occupancy, documentation complexity, and timeline.

5) Why separate lender fees from third-party fees?

It helps you compare offers fairly. Lender fees are more controllable, while appraisal, credit report, and similar items may vary by provider and region.

6) Should fees be spread over the term?

The monthly equivalent is a planning aid. Fees are typically paid upfront, but spreading them over months helps compare options when choosing between higher rates or higher fees.