FHA Loan Limits 2026: How Much You Can Borrow and What Price That Buys
FHA loan limits for 2026 run from $541,287 in lower-cost counties to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas. Here's what that means for your home price.
- 2026 FHA floor (lower-cost counties, one-unit home): $541,287.
- 2026 FHA ceiling (highest-cost counties): $1,249,125.
- With 3.5% down, the floor limit works out to a home price of about $560,900.
- Limits are set by county, and they’re higher for 2- to 4-unit homes. 2027 limits should be announced after FHFA sets the 2027 conforming limit.
FHA loans are popular because of their low down payment and flexible credit rules. But there’s a cap on how much you can borrow, and it depends on where you buy. Here’s how the 2026 limits work in plain English.
How FHA loan limits are set
HUD ties FHA limits to the conforming loan limit set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. For 2026, the conforming baseline is $832,750. FHA then uses:
- The floor: 65% of the conforming limit, or $541,287. This applies in most lower-cost counties.
- The ceiling: 150% of the conforming limit, or $1,249,125. This applies in the most expensive areas.
- In between: counties with mid-range prices get a limit based on 115% of the local median home price, capped at the ceiling.
Some areas, including Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have special higher limits because of high construction costs.
What price can you buy with an FHA loan?
The limit applies to the base loan amount. FHA’s 1.75% upfront mortgage insurance premium can be added on top. With the minimum 3.5% down:
| County FHA limit | Max base loan | Approx. max price with 3.5% down |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | $541,287 | ~$560,900 |
| Example mid-cost county | $700,000 | ~$725,400 |
| Ceiling | $1,249,125 | ~$1,294,400 |
If the home costs more, you can still use FHA by making a bigger down payment so the loan stays under the limit.
How to find your county’s limit
- Go to HUD’s FHA mortgage limits lookup.
- Choose your state and county (or metro area).
- Look at the one-unit limit for a single-family home, or the 2-, 3- or 4-unit column for multi-unit properties.
FHA limit vs. conforming limit
In most counties, the conforming (conventional) limit of $832,750 is much higher than FHA’s $541,287 floor. So if you’re buying a pricier home in a lower-cost county, a conventional loan may let you borrow more. Compare the two in our FHA vs. conventional guide, and see conventional requirements now.
Try your numbers
See your payment, upfront MIP and monthly MIP with our FHA loan calculator. For the full rules, read FHA loan requirements and FHA credit score requirements.
FAQ
What is the FHA loan limit for 2026?
For a one-unit home, $541,287 in most lower-cost counties and up to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas.
Can I get an FHA loan for more than the limit?
No, but you can make a bigger down payment so your base loan stays at or under your county’s limit.
Are FHA limits higher for duplexes?
Yes. 2-, 3- and 4-unit properties have higher limits. Check HUD’s lookup for your county.
When will 2027 FHA limits come out?
Usually soon after FHFA announces conforming limits, which is expected in late November 2026.
Sources: HUD, FHA mortgage limits; FHFA conforming loan limits; Keys & Coffee calculations. This article is general education, not financial advice. Keys & Coffee is not a lender.
Written by
Shivam Kaushik· IMSHIVA
Founder & Director, QuibbleTech Solutions Pvt Ltd · Editor, Keys & Coffee
Shivam Kaushik is the founder of QuibbleTech Solutions Pvt Ltd and the editor of Keys & Coffee. He is not a licensed loan officer or financial adviser. Every guide here is written in plain English and checked against official sources such as the CFPB, HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Reserve. For advice on your own loan, talk to a licensed lender.
Keys & Coffee is an independent education site. We are not a lender or mortgage broker, we do not take loan applications or payments, and nothing here is financial advice. This site is not affiliated with Axia Home Loans, Axia Financial, LLC, or Planet Home Lending. Rates and rules change often — always confirm details with a licensed loan officer and check any lender on the NMLS Consumer Access site.
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