Loan Payment Formula:
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The loan payment formula calculates the fixed monthly payment required to fully repay a loan over its term, including both principal and interest. This is commonly used for mortgages, car loans, and other installment loans.
The calculator uses the standard loan payment formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula accounts for compound interest over the loan term, calculating a fixed payment that will pay off both principal and interest by the end of the term.
Details: Understanding your monthly payment helps with budgeting and comparing different loan options. It's essential for financial planning when taking out a mortgage or other large loan.
Tips: Enter the principal amount in USD, annual interest rate as a percentage (e.g., 3.5 for 3.5%), and loan term in years. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Does this include property taxes and insurance?
A: No, this calculates only principal and interest. A full mortgage payment might include additional amounts for taxes and insurance (PITI).
Q2: How does loan term affect payments?
A: Longer terms reduce monthly payments but increase total interest paid. Shorter terms have higher payments but lower total interest.
Q3: What's the difference between APR and interest rate?
A: The interest rate is the base cost of borrowing, while APR includes fees and other loan costs, giving a more complete picture of the loan's cost.
Q4: Can I calculate payments for additional principal?
A: This calculator shows standard payments. To see how extra payments affect your loan, use an amortization calculator.
Q5: Why does my actual payment differ slightly?
A: Lenders might use slightly different rounding methods or payment schedules (e.g., biweekly vs monthly).