How to use the Simple Interest Calculator
- 1 Enter the starting amount, the annual interest rate and the number of years.
- 2 Optionally add a monthly deposit and choose how often interest is added.
- 3 Read the final balance, the total interest and the year-by-year overview.
The simple interest formula
I = P × r × t
I is the interest, P the principal, r the annual rate as a decimal and t the time in years. €5,000 at 4% for 5 years earns 5,000 × 0.04 × 5 = €1,000 in interest, for a total of €6,000.
Where simple interest is used
Simple interest is common for short-term loans, some bonds that pay out their coupon instead of reinvesting it, car loans in some countries and interest calculations between businesses. It is also the basis of most school maths exercises.
Simple vs. compound
Because interest is never added to the principal, simple interest grows in a straight line. Switch the calculator to a compound option to see how much more you would earn if the interest were reinvested.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate simple interest?
Multiply the principal by the annual rate (as a decimal) and the number of years: I = P × r × t.
How are monthly deposits treated with simple interest?
Each deposit earns simple interest from the month after it is made; interest is never added to the amount that earns interest.
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