VA Loan Entitlement Calculator
Calculate your remaining VA loan entitlement, see if you qualify for a second-tier VA loan, and check how much of a bonus entitlement guaranty you have left for 2026.
| Entitlement Detail | |
| Basic Entitlement (Full) | — |
| Basic Entitlement Used | — |
| Bonus Entitlement Cap (25% of county limit) | — |
| Bonus Entitlement Used | — |
| Required Down Payment | |
| Down Payment to Close New Loan | — |
A VA loan entitlement calculator determines how much of your Veterans Affairs home loan guaranty remains after a prior VA loan and whether you qualify for a second-tier VA loan with zero down payment in 2026.
Understanding VA Basic and Bonus Entitlement
Your basic entitlement is $36,000 — what the VA guarantees on loans up to $144,000. For higher loan amounts, the VA also provides a bonus entitlement (also called Tier 2) equal to 25% of the county conforming loan limit minus your basic entitlement. In 2026, the standard county conforming limit is $806,500 (high-cost areas reach $1,209,750), making the combined guaranty roughly $201,625 in most counties (source: benefits.va.gov).
Second-Tier Entitlement and Restoration
If you already used part of your VA entitlement and have not paid off the prior loan, you can still use a second-tier VA loan — but if total guaranty needed exceeds remaining entitlement, the VA requires a down payment equal to 25% of the shortfall. Once you sell the home and pay off the prior VA loan, you can request one-time restoration of entitlement through VA Form 26-1880.
2026 VA Loan Limit Changes
The Department of Veterans Affairs follows FHFA conforming loan limits. For 2026, the baseline conforming limit rose to $806,500 (from $766,550 in 2025), increasing the combined VA guaranty for veterans with full entitlement. Veterans with full entitlement face no county-based loan cap — only lender overlays apply (source: fhfa.gov).