Conforming loan limits define the largest loan sizes eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Limits are set by the FHFA and can differ by county. Loans above the applicable limit are typically classified as jumbo.
Who this may fit
Anyone shopping in a market where price levels approach or exceed the standard conforming limit, or purchasing in a high-cost county.
Key decision factors
- Whether the loan amount falls within the county's conforming limit
- Whether a high-balance / high-cost county limit applies
- How pricing changes across conforming, high-balance, and jumbo
Illustrative example
Common mistakes
- Assuming national headlines about loan limits apply to every county
- Missing high-balance thresholds in high-cost areas
- Ignoring how splitting into two loans changes pricing and complexity
Questions to ask a licensed loan officer
- What is the applicable conforming limit for my county this year?
- How does pricing change if I go conforming vs high-balance vs jumbo?
- Are there structural options (second lien, larger down payment) that keep me in conforming?
Sources
We link to primary sources for every substantive claim. Publication dates below are marked as unverified until confirmed under our Source Policy.
- Conforming Loan Limit ValuesFederal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) · Published/effective: 2026 limits announced 2025-11-25; effective 2026-01-01 · Last checked: 2026-07-28
- FHFA Announces Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) · Published/effective: 2025-11-25 · Last checked: 2026-07-28
Related guides and calculators
- 2026 County Loan Limit Lookup
Look up the official 2026 FHFA conforming loan limits for one-, two-, three-, and four-unit properties in any US county or territory.
- Jumbo vs Conforming Loan Classifier (2026)
Deterministic 2026 classifier: enter a loan amount, county, and unit count to see conforming, high-balance, or jumbo classification against official FHFA limits.
- 2026 Conforming Loan Limits by State
Browse the official 2026 FHFA conforming loan limits for every US state, DC, and territory, with correct standard-baseline, special statutory baseline, and high-cost classifications.
- What Is a Conventional Loan?
A plain-English explanation of conventional loans: how they work, who they may fit, and key decision factors.
- Conventional Loan Down Payment
How down payment affects PMI, monthly payment, cash to close, and long-term outcomes on a conventional loan.
- Methodology
Source hierarchy, update cadence, calculator formulas, review standards, correction workflow, and the boundary between education and a mortgage offer.