How Much Can You Borrow on a VA Loan

How Much Can I Borrow on a VA Loan

VA loan limits are not a single national number; they depend on your county, your remaining entitlement, and whether you make a down payment. In most counties, eligible borrowers can finance up to $172,625 with zero down payment as a baseline, but higher-cost areas allow larger loan amounts through county-specific limits set by the VA. The key question is not just the cap but how much entitlement you have left and how it affects your borrowing power.

How the VA Loan Limit Is Calculated

The VA sets county loan limits based on the conforming loan limit established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. In 2025, the baseline VA loan limit is $726,200 for most counties, while high-cost counties can exceed $1.1 million. The VA does not require a down payment for the portion of the loan up to the county limit, provided you have full entitlement. If your entitlement is partially used from a prior VA loan, the no-down-payment amount is reduced accordingly.

Entitlement and What It Means for Borrowers

Full VA entitlement is $37,374 in 2025, which allows you to buy a home up to four times that amount, or $149,496, without a down payment in most counties. When your entitlement is restored or you have never used it, you can borrow up to the county limit with no down payment. If your entitlement is partially used, the VA calculates a new no-down-payment amount based on the remaining entitlement and the county loan limit.

Borrowing Above the VA Loan Limit

You can borrow more than the VA county limit, but the amount above it requires a down payment. The VA calculates the required down payment as 25% of the difference between the county limit and the loan amount. For example, if you want a $900,000 home in a county with a $726,200 limit, the down payment would be 25% of $173,800, or approximately $43,450.

Other Factors That Affect Your Borrowing Amount

Lenders also look at your residual income, credit profile, and debt-to-income ratio when deciding how much to approve. The VA does not set a minimum credit score, but lenders typically require a score in the mid-600s or higher. Residual income requirements vary by region and family size and help ensure you can comfortably afford the mortgage after covering living expenses.

Bottom Line

The amount you can borrow on a VA loan is shaped by your county limit, remaining entitlement, and financial profile. Most eligible borrowers can finance up to the county limit with no down payment, and they can borrow above that limit with a calculated down payment.