Loan Payment Formula:
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The loan payment formula calculates the fixed monthly payment required to pay off a loan over a specified term. This formula is used for amortizing loans where each payment covers both interest and principal.
The calculator uses the standard loan payment formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the fixed monthly payment that will pay off the loan completely over the specified term, including both principal and interest.
Details: Accurate payment calculation is crucial for budgeting, comparing loan offers, understanding total loan cost, and making informed financial decisions about mortgages, car loans, and other installment loans.
Tips: Enter the loan amount in dollars, annual interest rate as a percentage, and loan term in years. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What types of loans use this formula?
A: This formula is used for fixed-rate amortizing loans including mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and student loans.
Q2: How does interest rate affect monthly payments?
A: Higher interest rates result in higher monthly payments. A small change in interest rate can significantly impact the total cost of the loan.
Q3: What's the difference between principal and interest?
A: Principal is the original loan amount, interest is the cost of borrowing. Early payments consist mostly of interest, later payments mostly of principal.
Q4: Can I pay off my loan faster?
A: Yes, making extra payments reduces the principal faster, decreases total interest paid, and can shorten the loan term.
Q5: What are points and fees in mortgage loans?
A: Points are upfront fees paid to reduce the interest rate. Other fees include origination fees, appraisal fees, and closing costs that add to the total loan cost.