Biweekly vs Monthly Mortgage Payments
Biweekly plans make 26 half-payments per year — about one extra monthly payment — which can reduce interest like recurring extra principal.
Published August 28, 2026
Most mortgages bill once per month. A biweekly plan pays half the monthly amount every two weeks. Because there are 26 half-payments in a year — not 24 — you effectively make one extra full payment per year, which goes to principal.
| Monthly | Biweekly (half payment every 2 weeks) | |
|---|---|---|
| Payments per year | 12 full payments | 26 half-payments (= 13 full monthly equivalents) |
| Extra principal per year | None unless you add it | Roughly one extra monthly payment |
| Servicer setup | Standard | May require enrollment; some charge fees |
| Modeled on this site | Yes | No — use extra payment calculator to approximate |
Watch for fees and fine print
Third-party biweekly programs sometimes charge setup or transaction fees. Some servicers hold funds and still pay monthly. Read the agreement before enrolling — a manual extra payment often achieves the same result with more control.
Biweekly does not change your rate
Scheduling changes how often you pay, not your note rate. The benefit comes from extra principal, not from a special biweekly interest calculation.
Calculators for this topic
- Extra Mortgage Payment Calculator — See how much time and interest you could save by making extra payments on your mortgage.
- Amortization Calculator — View a full amortization schedule showing every payment, principal, interest, and remaining balance.
- Mortgage Payment Calculator — Quickly calculate your monthly principal and interest payment for any loan amount, rate, and term.
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Educational information only — not financial, legal, or tax advice. Financial disclaimer.