Interest Calculator

Calculate simple and compound interest for loans, savings, and investments

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About Interest Calculator

The Interest Calculator helps you determine how much interest will be earned or paid over time on a principal amount. It provides calculations for both simple interest and compound interest, which are fundamental concepts in finance used for loans, mortgages, savings accounts, investments, and more.

Types of Interest

Simple Interest

Simple interest is calculated only on the initial principal amount, regardless of the accumulated interest over previous periods. The formula for simple interest is:

I = P × r × t

Where:

  • I = Interest
  • P = Principal amount (initial investment or loan amount)
  • r = Rate of interest per time period (as a decimal)
  • t = Number of time periods

Simple interest is often used for short-term loans, bonds, and some types of consumer loans.

Compound Interest

Compound interest is calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. The formula for compound interest is:

A = P × (1 + r/n)^(n×t)

Where:

  • A = Final amount (principal + interest)
  • P = Principal amount (initial investment)
  • r = Annual interest rate (as a decimal)
  • n = Number of times interest is compounded per year
  • t = Time in years

For continuous compounding, the formula is:

A = P × e^(r×t)

Where e is the mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.71828.

Compound interest is commonly used for savings accounts, investments, and long-term loans like mortgages.

Common Uses of Interest Calculations

  • Loans and Mortgages: Calculate the total interest paid over the life of a loan.
  • Savings Accounts: Estimate how your savings will grow over time.
  • Investments: Project the future value of an investment.
  • Retirement Planning: Calculate how much your retirement savings will grow.
  • Credit Cards: Understand the cost of carrying a balance.

Note:

Interest calculations are estimates and actual results may vary. Financial institutions may use different methods to calculate interest, including day count conventions and varying compounding periods. This calculator assumes interest rates remain constant for the entire period, which may not reflect real-world conditions.