Earnest money calculator
Enter the price and the deposit as a percentage or a flat amount, then the acceptance date and the contract's deadline. You get the deposit and the date it's due, with weekends and holidays handled.
Deposit due by
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The amount, the deadline, how the days are counted and who holds the deposit are set by your purchase contract and state rules. Wire or deliver earnest money only to an escrow, title or brokerage account you've verified by phone. Not legal advice.
Earnest money is the buyer's good-faith deposit on a signed contract. As a percentage, it's the price times the rate: 1.5% of $450,000 is $6,750. Due 3 business days after a Tuesday, November 24, 2026 acceptance, it's due Monday, November 30, since Thanksgiving is skipped. The amount is negotiable; the contract sets it.
How to use the earnest money calculator
Enter the deposit
The purchase price and the earnest money as a percentage or a flat dollar amount.
Add the deadline
The acceptance date and how many calendar or business days the buyer has to deposit.
Read the due date
See the deposit, the due date and what's left of the down payment for closing.
What the earnest money calculator covers
Percent or flat amount
Enter the deposit either way and see the other.
Calendar or business days
Business days skip weekends and US federal holidays on their observed dates.
Weekend and holiday warning
Flags a due date on a non-business day and can move it to the next one.
Down payment balance
Optionally shows what's left of the down payment after the deposit is credited.
Copy the result
Copy the amount and due date into an email or your file notes.
- Formula
- Deposit = price × rate (or the flat amount); due date = acceptance date + N days
- Day counting
- Day 1 is the day after acceptance unless you count the acceptance date
- Typical amount
- Not set by law: negotiated and written into the purchase contract
- Cost and privacy
- Free, no sign-up; runs in your browser
Questions about the earnest money calculator
What is earnest money?
A deposit the buyer pays to show good faith on a signed purchase contract. The CFPB describes it as held by the seller or a third party such as a real estate agent or title company.
How much earnest money is typical?
There's no legal standard. The amount is negotiated between buyer and seller and written into the contract, and it varies by market, price and how competitive the offer is. Ask the agents in your area what sellers expect.
Who holds the earnest money?
Usually an escrow or title company, or the listing brokerage's trust account, as the contract says. State rules govern how brokers must hold and account for trust funds.
When is earnest money refunded?
If the contract ends for a reason it allows, such as a failed inspection, financing or appraisal contingency within its deadline, the deposit goes back to the buyer. If the buyer defaults, the seller may keep it, depending on the contract and state law.
What happens to earnest money at closing?
It's credited to the buyer toward the down payment or closing costs. On the Closing Disclosure it shows as the Deposit, which lowers the cash you bring to closing.
Can Closingbird track the earnest money deadline?
Yes. Closingbird reads the executed contract and fills in the dates and amounts it finds, including the earnest money deadline, then reminds the deadline owner before the date.
Guides and features for this step of the deal
Let Closingbird keep every date for you
Closingbird reads the executed contract, fills in every deadline, party and amount, and reminds each deadline owner before the date. Calendar or business days, with weekends and US federal holidays skipped.
14 days free, no card needed.
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