APR Calculator: Complete Guide to True Borrowing Costs
Free APR calculator that reveals the real cost of any loan. How to calculate APR from loan fees; compare interest rate vs. APR, understand fee structures. Trusted by borrowers and financial planners. No sign-upโall calculations run locally.
How APR Is Calculated: The Math Behind True Cost
The APR Formula Explained
- Amount Financed:Loan Principal minus Prepaid Finance Charges. If you borrow $300,000 but pay $8,000 in fees from proceeds, your Amount Financed is $292,000. This is the "real" loan amount for APR purposes.
- The Iterative Solution:APR solves for: What rate (r) makes the present value of all payments equal the Amount Financed?This requires numerical methods (bisection, Newton-Raphson) since there's no closed-form solution.
- Why Fees Increase APR:By reducing Amount Financed while keeping Payment the same, fees force a higher rate to balance the equation. $300K loan at 6.5% = $1,896/month. But if Amount Financed is $292K (after fees), the rate that produces $1,896/month is ~6.78%โthat's your APR.
- Term Sensitivity:Shorter loans have higher APR impact from fees because the same fees are spread over fewer payments. $8,000 in fees on a 30-year loan adds ~0.25% to APR. On a 15-year loan, the same fees add ~0.45% to APR.
- Scope & Limits:Uses iterative numerical methods to solve for APR from loan amount, payment, term, and fees. Standard formulas; results are estimates. All calculations run in your browser; no data is sent to servers. Verify with a qualified professional before making significant borrowing decisions.
APR calculation uses iterative solving because fees paid upfront must be spread across all payments. The core concept: what interest rate on the "amount financed" would produce your actual payment?
Common Finance Charges That Increase APR
Understanding What's Included (and What's Not)
- Origination Fees (Included):Lender profit for processing your loan. Typically 0.5-1% of loan amount. On $300,000: $1,500-$3,000. This is pure lender revenue and often negotiable, especially with strong credit or competing offers.
- Discount Points (Included):Prepaid interest to "buy down" your rate. Each point = 1% of loan amount = approximately 0.25% rate reduction. Points make sense if you'll keep the loan past break-even (typically 5-7 years for 1-2 points).
- PMI Premiums (Included):Required with less than 20% down payment. Monthly PMI of $150 on a 30-year loan adds ~0.3% to APR. Upfront PMI premium (common with FHA) has even larger APR impact. PMI drops off at 20% equityโAPR assumes full-term PMI.
- Mortgage Broker Fees (Included):If using a broker, their compensation is a finance charge. Can be paid by borrower, lender, or split. "No-cost" broker loans often have higher ratesโthe broker fee is built in.
- NOT Included in APR:Appraisal ($400-700), title insurance ($1,000-3,000), attorney/settlement fees, recording fees, property taxes, homeowner's insurance. These costs exist whether you finance or pay cash, so they're excluded from APR.
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) specifies which charges must be included in APR. Understanding this helps you identify which fees are negotiable and which are fixed third-party costs.
APR Comparison Strategies: Apples to Apples
Using APR to Compare Loan Offers
- Same Loan Type Only:Compare 30-year fixed APR to 30-year fixed APR. A 15-year loan will always have lower APR than a 30-year (same fees, shorter term = less interest). ARM APRs use initial rate onlyโnot comparable to fixed rates.
- The Short-Term Exception:If you'll refinance or sell within 5 years, minimize upfront fees even if the rate is higher. A 6.75% rate with $2,000 in fees beats 6.25% with $8,000 in fees if you're moving in 3 years.
- The Loan Estimate Document:Within 3 days of application, lenders must provide a Loan Estimate with standardized APR disclosure. Get Loan Estimates from 3+ lenders on the same day for accurate comparison (rates change daily).
- Beware "No Closing Cost" Loans:These roll fees into the loan balance or increase the rate. A "no cost" loan at 6.75% might have higher APR than a "normal" loan at 6.25% with $5,000 in fees. Calculate both scenarios.
APR is the great equalizerโit lets you compare loans with different rate/fee structures on equal footing. But context matters.
APR for Different Loan Types
How APR Varies by Product
- Mortgages:Typical spread: 0.1-0.5% above rate. Highest fee complexity (points, PMI, origination). Most regulated and standardized APR disclosure. 30-year conventional: expect 6.5-7.5% APR in current market.
- Auto Loans:Typical spread: 0-0.3% for direct lenders, 1-2% for dealer financing. Dealers often mark up "buy rate" from banks. A credit union at 6.5% APR vs. dealer at 8.5% APR on a $35,000 car = $2,400 savings over 5 years.
- Personal Loans:Typical spread: 0-1% (origination fees common). No collateral means higher base rates (8-20%+ depending on credit). APR is usually close to stated rate unless there's an origination fee (often 1-5% of loan amount).
- Credit Cards:APR equals stated rate for purchases (no additional fees). But cash advance APR is higher, and balance transfer APR may be promotional. Watch for "penalty APR" (25-29%) triggered by late payments.
APR calculation principles are consistent, but fee structures and typical spreads vary significantly by loan type.
FAQ
? What is APR and how is it different from interest rate?
APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the true cost of borrowing expressed as a yearly rate. It includes the interest rate PLUS all fees (origination, points, PMI). A 6.5% interest rate with $5,000 in fees might have a 6.85% APR. The interest rate determines your monthly payment; the APR reveals the total cost. Always compare APRs, not interest rates.
? Why is my APR higher than my interest rate?
Your APR includes all finance charges spread over the loan term: origination fees (0.5-1% of loan), discount points ($3,000 per point on $300K), PMI premiums, and processing fees. These are added to total borrowing cost, then converted to an equivalent annual rate. A typical mortgage might show 6.5% rate but 6.75% APR after fees.
? Is a lower interest rate or lower APR better?
Lower APR is almost always better for long-term loans. A 6.0% rate with $8,000 in points might have 6.35% APR, while a 6.25% rate with $2,000 in fees has 6.32% APRโthe "higher rate" loan actually costs less. Exception: if you'll sell/refinance within 3-5 years, minimizing upfront fees (even with higher rate) may win.
? What fees are included in APR calculation?
APR includes: origination fees, discount points, mortgage broker fees, PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance), prepaid interest, and some closing costs. NOT included: appraisal, title insurance, attorney fees, recording fees, or property taxesโthese apply whether you finance or pay cash.
? What is a good APR spread (difference between rate and APR)?
For mortgages: 0.1-0.25% spread is excellent (Grade A), 0.25-0.4% is standard (Grade B), 0.4-0.8% is high (Grade C), over 0.8% suggests excessive fees or predatory pricing. Personal loans typically have 0-0.5% spread. Auto loans through dealers often have 1-2% spread vs. credit union rates.
? How do discount points affect APR?
Each discount point costs 1% of loan amount and typically reduces your rate by 0.25%. On a $300,000 loan: 1 point = $3,000 upfront, saves ~$45/month. Break-even is ~66 months (5.5 years). Points increase your APR but reduce long-term cost IF you keep the loan past break-even. Shorter hold = skip points.