CLTV Calculator - Combined Loan-to-Value Ratio (2026)
When you apply for a HELOC or second mortgage, your lender does not just look at your primary mortgage. They calculate your combined loan-to-value ratio, which includes every lien against your property. This is the number that determines your borrowing room.
Enter all of your secured debts below to see your true CLTV and how much additional borrowing capacity you have.
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with any bank, lender, or financial institution. Results are not a loan offer or guarantee of terms. Consult a licensed mortgage professional for advice specific to your situation.
Enter All Your Liens
LTV (First Mortgage Only)
62.5%
CLTV (All Liens)
62.5%
Remaining Equity
$150,000
Your CLTV is 62.5%. Lenders see all $250,000 of secured debt against your $400,000 home.
How Your Home Value Is Split
Additional Borrowing Room (80% CLTV)
$70,000
Additional Borrowing Room (85% CLTV)
$90,000
LTV vs CLTV: The Critical Difference
LTV (Loan-to-Value)
Uses only your primary mortgage balance divided by home value.
CLTV (Combined LTV)
Uses all liens: first mortgage, second mortgage, HELOC, and other secured debt.
The difference matters because lenders evaluate second-lien products using CLTV, not LTV. You might have plenty of equity based on your primary mortgage alone (62.5% LTV in the example above), but an existing HELOC reduces your borrowing room significantly. In this example, the $50,000 HELOC balance raises the CLTV from 62.5% to 75%, leaving only $20,000-$40,000 of additional borrowing room depending on the lender's CLTV cap.
Why CLTV Matters for Borrowing
Example: How CLTV Limits Your Options
Suppose your home is worth $400,000 and you have a first mortgage of $280,000 (70% LTV). You also have a $60,000 HELOC already in place.
Your CLTV = ($280,000 + $60,000) / $400,000 = 85%
At 85% CLTV, you are at or above the maximum for most lenders. Even though you have $60,000 in remaining equity, there is no room for additional secured borrowing.
To open up borrowing room, you would need to pay down existing debt, close the HELOC, or wait for home appreciation to increase the denominator.
CLTV Limits by Lender Type
| Lender Type | Max CLTV | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Major banks (Chase, BofA, Wells Fargo) | 80% CLTV | Strictest limits, competitive rates |
| Online lenders (SoFi, Figure) | 80-85% CLTV | Faster processing, comparable rates |
| Credit unions | 85-90% CLTV | More flexible, sometimes higher rates |
| Community banks | 80-85% CLTV | May offer relationship discounts |
| VA-backed (where available) | Varies | Special terms for eligible veterans |
How to Reduce Your CLTV
Pay down the primary mortgage
Extra principal payments on your first mortgage directly reduce CLTV. Even moderate additional payments compound significantly over time.
Pay down or close existing HELOC
If you have an open HELOC you are not using, paying it down and closing the line removes that balance from CLTV calculations entirely.
Make value-adding improvements
Targeted renovations that increase appraised value raise the denominator in the CLTV formula, lowering your ratio.
Wait for appreciation and get a new appraisal
Market appreciation increases your home value. A new appraisal reflecting the higher value recalculates your CLTV with a larger denominator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CLTV and why does it matter?
CLTV (combined loan-to-value) is the ratio of all secured debt against your home divided by its value. When you apply for a HELOC or second mortgage, lenders use CLTV, not just LTV, to determine how much you can borrow. Even if your primary mortgage LTV is 70%, an existing HELOC could push your CLTV to 85%, leaving no room for additional borrowing.
What is the maximum CLTV for a HELOC?
Most conventional lenders cap CLTV at 80-85% for HELOCs. Some credit unions will go up to 90% CLTV. VA-backed loans may allow 100% for primary mortgage purposes but equity products vary. Higher CLTV means higher rates and stricter qualification requirements.
How is CLTV different from LTV?
LTV uses only the primary mortgage balance. CLTV adds all liens: first mortgage, second mortgage, HELOC drawn balance, and any other secured debt against the property. If your first mortgage is $250,000 and you have a $50,000 HELOC on a $400,000 home, your LTV is 62.5% but your CLTV is 75%.
How can I reduce my CLTV?
Pay down or close existing lines of credit, make extra payments on your primary mortgage, increase your home value through strategic improvements, or wait for market appreciation. Closing an unused HELOC removes its balance from CLTV calculations.
Does my unused HELOC credit line affect CLTV?
It depends on the lender. Some lenders calculate CLTV using only the drawn balance on your HELOC, while others use the full credit limit. When applying for a new equity product, ask the lender which method they use. If the full line counts, consider reducing or closing unused lines before applying.
What happens if my CLTV is too high?
If your CLTV exceeds a lender's maximum, your application will be denied. You have limited options: pay down existing debt to lower the ratio, get a new appraisal if you believe your home is worth more than the current estimate, or look for lenders with higher CLTV thresholds (some credit unions accept 90%).