Turn fees and points into a comparable APR. Test scenarios, frequencies, and upfront cost choices. Decide faster with clear payments and total costs shown.
| Scenario | Loan | Term | Note Rate | Fees + Points | Prepaid Interest | Estimated APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offer A | $250,000 | 30 years | 6.50% | $4,150 | $668 | ≈ 6.72% |
| Offer B | $250,000 | 30 years | 6.25% | $6,200 | $642 | ≈ 6.67% |
| Offer C | $250,000 | 15 years | 5.90% | $3,900 | $605 | ≈ 6.10% |
These rows are illustrative. Actual APR depends on rules and exact schedules.
APR is solved by bisection for stability.
Annual percentage rate converts upfront finance charges into an equivalent yearly rate. When points, origination, and lender fees reduce the amount you actually receive, APR rises even if the note rate stays unchanged. This calculator estimates that effect by treating prepaid interest and selected charges as finance costs, then solving the discount rate that matches the payment stream.
The note rate determines the contractual periodic payment and the interest portion of every installment. For a fixed loan, payment uses the standard annuity formula with periodic rate r and number of payments n. A lower note rate usually lowers cashflow immediately, but a higher fee structure can offset that advantage when comparing offers.
Two loans with identical note rates can have different APRs because finance charges are paid at closing while benefits occur over years. One point equals one percent of principal, so even small point changes can shift APR by several basis points. Prepaid interest also matters because it is effectively paid before any principal reduction occurs, increasing the implied cost.
Use the same term, payment frequency, and day-count basis across scenarios. Enter only required charges, and keep optional third‑party costs separate unless you intentionally include them. When insurance is mandatory, adding it to the payment stream can help compare overall affordability, but remember it is not always part of regulated APR disclosures.
APR is best for ranking offers with different fee structures. Also review the periodic payment, total interest at the note rate, and total cash needed at closing. If you plan to refinance or sell early, upfront fees weigh more heavily, so the offer with the lowest APR over thirty years may not realistically minimize your short‑term cost.
APR includes certain upfront finance charges and prepaid interest. Those costs reduce the amount financed, so the same payment stream implies a higher equivalent annual rate than the advertised note rate.
Only include costs you want to treat as finance charges for comparison. Many third‑party fees may be excluded in official disclosures. Toggle the option to see sensitivity, then rely on lender disclosures for compliance.
Prepaid interest is paid before regular installments begin. Because it is an upfront cost tied to the loan, it increases implied borrowing cost and can raise APR, especially when the prepaid days are high.
Yes. The calculator annualizes from the periodic APR rate based on payment frequency. Monthly, biweekly, and weekly schedules produce different numbers of periods, which can slightly change the computed APR.
APR is a single summary metric. Offers can share similar APR while having different payments, fee timing, or optional insurance requirements. Compare APR alongside payment, cash at closing, and your expected holding period.
Not necessarily. Lenders follow specific regulatory definitions for finance charges and rounding rules. This tool is designed for scenario comparison using your assumptions; use official loan estimates for the compliant APR.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.