VA Loan Limits in 2026: County Lookup and Entitlement Calculator
VA loan limits can look like a reset every January, but the benefit itself does not expire or refresh on a calendar date. In 2026, the key change is the conforming loan limit baseline used to size bonus entitlement when you already have a VA loan. Use this page to confirm your category, estimate your zero down cap, and plan a clean offer.
VA loan limits in 2026 matter mainly if you have partial entitlement. Use the county lookup to confirm the one unit conforming limit, then enter entitlement used from your COE to estimate remaining entitlement, a typical zero down cap, and any cash needed to reach 25% coverage.
2026 Baseline, High Cost, and Special Area Limits
- Most counties use a one unit baseline of $832,750 for 2026.
- High cost counties can be higher, up to $1,249,125 for one unit homes.
- Special statutory areas such as Alaska and Hawaii can reach $1,873,675 for one unit.
- County selection matters because limits are county based, not just ZIP based.
Who These Limits Affect
- With full entitlement, county limits typically do not cap a zero down VA purchase.
- With partial entitlement, the county limit sizes the remaining guaranty pool for structure.
- If your target is above the cap, cash is often needed to reach 25% coverage.
- Approval still depends on underwriting and appraisal value, even when structure works.
How to Estimate a Zero Down Cap
- Max guaranty reference is 25% of the county one unit limit.
- Remaining entitlement equals max guaranty reference minus entitlement used on your COE.
- A common planning cap is remaining entitlement multiplied by four.
- If you exceed the cap, estimate cash needed to reach 25% coverage.
Offer Strategy to Avoid Surprises
- Confirm entitlement used on your COE before setting an offer ceiling.
- Verify the property county and rerun estimates when the target changes.
- Document inputs, county limit, entitlement used, and desired loan amount.
- If you already own a VA financed home, plan as partial entitlement until proven otherwise.
Can I get a VA loan if I have a home already?
Where are the 2026 VA loan limits higher?
Can you show an example of calculating a zero down cap with partial entitlement?
County Loan Limit Lookup for 2026
Select your state and county to see official 2026 conforming loan limit values. For partial entitlement planning, VA guidance uses the one unit county limit even when the property has multiple units.
When the county dataset loads, you will see baseline and high cost counts plus a top counties preview here.
| County | State | One Unit Limit |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | $— |
| — | — | $— |
| — | — | $— |
With full entitlement, the VA does not set a loan limit. County limits mainly matter when you have partial entitlement and you want to model a zero down structure.
Partial Entitlement Calculator to Estimate Zero Down Range and Cash Needed
This estimator follows a common planning method: remaining entitlement is typically 25% of the county one unit limit minus entitlement already used. It also estimates cash needed to reach 25% coverage when your desired loan amount is above the cap.
- Max guaranty reference equals the county one unit limit times 25%.
- Remaining entitlement subtracts entitlement used from your COE input.
- Zero down cap is commonly estimated as remaining entitlement multiplied by four.
If your COE indicates full entitlement with no meaningful entitlement charged, county limits generally will not restrict your VA loan amount. In that case, underwriting, appraisal, and VA property standards are the practical gates.
2026 National Conforming Loan Limit Numbers
VA references FHFA conforming loan limits as the county limit input when entitlement is partially used. The table below shows baseline values and maximum high cost ceiling values for 2026.
| Property Units | Baseline, Most Counties | Max High Cost Ceiling | Special Areas Baseline | Special Areas Max Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Unit | $832,750 | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 | $1,873,675 |
| 2 Units | $1,066,250 | $1,599,375 | $1,599,375 | $2,399,050 |
| 3 Units | $1,288,800 | $1,933,200 | $1,933,200 | $2,899,800 |
| 4 Units | $1,601,750 | $2,402,625 | $2,402,625 | $3,603,925 |
Key Rules to Interpret Full vs Partial Entitlement
Short guidance that matches the tool math and helps you plan structure before underwriting.
With full entitlement, county limits usually do not cap a zero down VA purchase. In practice, your ceiling is lender qualification, appraisal value, and VA property standards, not the county table.
With partial entitlement, the county one unit limit helps size the guaranty pool available for a zero down structure. That is why the county lookup and COE entitlement used input are critical for planning.
- Max guaranty reference equals 25% of the county one unit conforming limit.
- Remaining entitlement equals max guaranty reference minus entitlement used on your COE.
- Typical zero down cap is commonly estimated as remaining entitlement multiplied by four.
- Cash needed for a target loan is commonly estimated as 25% of the desired loan amount minus remaining entitlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do VA loans have loan limits in 2026?
What is the 2026 baseline county limit for one unit homes in most areas?
Where are the 2026 county limits higher?
How do I find my county limit for 2026?
How do I know if I have full entitlement or partial entitlement?
How does the tool estimate remaining entitlement and a zero down cap?
Can I have two VA loans at the same time?
Do county limits apply to IRRRL refinances?
How is a down payment commonly estimated when a target loan is above the cap?
Do two to four unit limits change remaining entitlement planning?
Sources
- VA Loan Limits and Entitlement Overview: VA.gov
- FHFA 2026 Conforming Loan Limits Announcement: FHFA News Release
- VA Guaranty Calculation Examples: VA PDF
- FHFA Conforming Loan Limit Downloads: FHFA Downloads
