The decoder
Loan Estimate box decoder
What it means
Pick the part of the form you are looking at and the decoder explains what it means, whether its figures can change and the question worth asking the lender. It works from the standard form, so it fits any lender's estimate. Nothing you choose is stored.
Last reviewed against the primary sources listed below.
Estimate Lens · https://checkmortgageloanrates.com/loan-estimate-decoder.html · General education only; nothing you entered was stored.
How to read your result
The decoder explains what the section you picked shows, which numbers to compare across lenders and which fees may change before closing.
- What it shows: the purpose of that section.
- Compare: the lines to line up between offers.
- Watch: fees that can change and why.
What to do next
Lay two Loan Estimates side by side and compare the same section on each.
Using it with the form
Work from top to bottom of page one, then through the lettered sections of page two. The page guides go deeper on each part.
Questions people have with the form in hand
How do I read a Loan Estimate?
Start with page one for the loan terms and totals, use page two to see each closing cost by section, and use page three to compare offers. The decoder explains any box you pick.