The conforming loan limit is the maximum mortgage size that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy from lenders. Loans at or below the limit qualify for conforming pricing, which is typically the best rate available. Above the limit, you need a jumbo loan with stricter underwriting and slightly higher rates.
For 2026, the baseline conforming limit is $766,550 for a single-family home in most U.S. counties. High-cost areas (parts of California, the New York metro, DC, Hawaii) have higher limits up to $1,149,825. Multi-unit properties have separate, higher limits.
If you're shopping near the conforming limit, putting just a few thousand more down to stay under it can save you significantly in interest over the life of the loan.