Calculator

APR Calculator

An APR calculator estimates the yearly cost of credit when upfront fees are included. Enter the loan amount, rate, term, and fees to see the nominal APR and the effective APR.

Advertising disclosure: EmergencyLoaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.

  • Runs in your browser
  • No sign-up
  • Free

By the EmergencyLoaning Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Enter your numbers and press Calculate. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

How this calculator works

The APR is the yearly cost of credit when upfront fees are included. It is usually higher than the advertised note rate because the fees reduce the money you actually receive while the payments stay the same.

This calculator finds the monthly periodic rate i that solves:

P - F = M * (1 - (1 + i)^-n) / i

It then reports the nominal APR = i * 12 * 100 and the effective APR = ((1 + i)^12 - 1) * 100. If fees are zero, both equal the note rate.

Fees vary by lender and loan type, so enter the fees from your own offer.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter your numbers

    Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us.

  2. Read the result

    The result shows the headline figure and the numbers behind it, so you can see where the cost comes from.

  3. Check the rules before you apply

    State caps and licensing decide what a lender may offer you. The state reference lists both with their sources.

Before you apply, run the numbers

The calculators are free and run in your browser. When you are ready to look at real offers, the link below goes to our referral partner.

Advertising disclosure: EmergencyLoaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the APR and the interest rate?
The interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal. The APR also includes upfront fees, so it reflects the total yearly cost of credit.
Which APR does this calculator report?
It reports the nominal APR, which is the monthly periodic rate times 12, and the effective APR, which compounds that rate over 12 months. Both are stated in the formula explanation above.
Why is my APR higher than my rate?
Fees reduce the net amount you receive while your payments stay the same. To break even, the effective cost of the money you actually got must be higher.
What fees should I enter?
Enter upfront fees paid at closing, such as an origination fee. Do not include late fees or optional add-ons, because those depend on your behavior.

Related calculators