How is interest calculated on borrowing money?
In modern society, borrowing money has become a common way for many people to solve their financial needs. Whether it is a bank loan, a credit card overdraft, or a private loan, the calculation method of interest is one of the most concerning issues for borrowers. This article will explain in detail the calculation method of borrowing interest to help everyone better understand the cost of borrowing.
1. Basic concept of interest

Interest is the fee paid by the borrower to the lender for the use of loan funds. The way interest is calculated is usually determined by the type of loan, interest rate, repayment method and other factors. The following are common ways to calculate interest:
| Calculation method | formula | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| simple interest | Interest = Principal × Interest Rate × Time | Short-term loans, private lending |
| compound interest | Interest = Principal × (1 + Interest Rate)^Time - Principal | Long-term loans, credit card overdrafts |
| Equal principal and interest | Monthly repayment amount = [Principal × Monthly interest rate × (1 + Monthly interest rate)^Number of repayment months] / [(1 + Monthly interest rate)^Number of repayment months - 1] | Home loan, car loan |
| Equal amount of principal | Monthly repayment amount = (principal / number of repayment months) + (principal - accumulated principal repaid) × monthly interest rate | Home loan, car loan |
2. Types of interest rates
Interest rate is the core factor in interest calculation. Common interest rate types include:
| Interest rate type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| annual interest rate | annualized interest rate | Bank loan annual interest rate is 5% |
| monthly interest rate | interest rate calculated monthly | Credit card monthly interest rate 1.5% |
| daily interest rate | Interest rate calculated on a daily basis | Online loan daily interest rate 0.05% |
3. Interest Calculation for Different Loan Types
Different loan types have different interest calculation methods. The following are the interest calculation methods for several common loan types:
1. Bank loan
Bank loans usually adopt the repayment method of equal principal and interest or equal principal. Taking equal principal and interest as an example, assuming a loan of 100,000 yuan, an annual interest rate of 5%, a term of 5 years, the monthly repayment amount is:
| Repayment method | Monthly repayment amount | total interest |
|---|---|---|
| Equal principal and interest | 1887.12 yuan | 13227.20 yuan |
| Equal amount of principal | 2083.33 yuan in the first month, decreasing month by month | 12500.00 yuan |
2. Credit card overdraft
Credit card overdrafts usually accrue interest on a daily basis, with the daily interest rate being approximately 0.05%. Assuming an overdraft of 10,000 yuan and repayment after 30 days, the interest will be:
| Overdraft amount | daily interest rate | 30 days interest |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 yuan | 0.05% | 150 yuan |
3. Private lending
The interest calculation method for private loans is relatively flexible, with simple interest being the most common. Assume that the loan is 10,000 yuan, the monthly interest rate is 2%, the term is 3 months, and the interest is:
| Borrowing amount | monthly interest rate | 3 months interest |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 yuan | 2% | 600 yuan |
4. How to reduce borrowing costs
To reduce interest payments, borrowers can take the following steps:
1.Choose a low interest rate loan: Compare interest rates from different financial institutions and choose the most favorable loan product.
2.Shorten loan term: The shorter the loan term, the lower the total interest expense.
3.Early repayment: Some loans allow early repayment to reduce interest expenses.
4.Improve credit score: A good credit history helps get lower interest rates.
5. Summary
There are various ways to calculate interest on borrowed money, and borrowers should choose the appropriate loan type and repayment method according to their own needs. Understanding how interest is calculated can help you plan your finances better and avoid unnecessary expenses. I hope this article can help you understand more clearly how loan interest is calculated.
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