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How to Calculate Loans with the TVM Calculator

Using the Time Value of Money Calculator

The Time Value of Money (TVM) calculator is a powerful tool for loan calculations. This guide will walk you through how to use it effectively for various real-world loan scenarios.

Basic Mortgage Loan Calculation

Sarah is buying her first home and needs to calculate her monthly mortgage payments. She's borrowing $250,000 for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 4.5% annual interest. How much will her monthly payments be?

Value Keystrokes Display Description
  shift, C TVM   Clears the financial variables.
  shift, B/E   To toggle the BEG / END mode so the BEG indicator is not displayed.
12 STO, P/YR 12.00 Sets the payments per year. This also sets the compounding periods to the same value if using the Focused Calculator.
30 shift, xP/YR 360.00 Sets the total number of payments to the value in x (30) times the payments per year.
4.5 I/YR 4.50 Stores the annual interest rate.
250000 PV 250,000.00 Stores the loan amount, PV.
  PMT -1,266.71 Calculate the monthly payment.

Sarah's monthly mortgage payment will be $1,266.71.

The History Detail

Calculates the Payment
         360.00 : The number of periods.
           4.50 : The annual rate.
     250,000.00 : The present value.
      -1,266.71 : The payment.
           0.00 : The future value.
          12.00 : Payments per year.
          12.00 : Compounding periods per year.
           0.00 : Payments due at end.

Commercial Loan with Different Payment and Compounding Frequencies

John's small business is taking out a $100,000 equipment loan for 10 years. The bank offers an annual interest rate of 6%, compounded semi-annually (2 times per year), with quarterly payments. What will John's quarterly payments be?

Value Keystrokes Display Description
  shift, C TVM   Clears the financial variables.
4 STO, P/YR 4.00 Sets the payments per year.
2 STO, C/YR 2.00 Sets the compounding periods per year.
10 shift, xP/YR 40.00 Sets the total number of payments to the value in x (10) times the payments per year.
6 I/YR 6.00 Stores the annual interest rate.
100000 PV 100,000.00 Stores the loan amount, PV.
  PMT -3,335.95 Calculate the quarterly payment.

John's business will need to make quarterly payments of $3,335.95 for the equipment loan.

The History Detail

Calculates the Payment
          40.00 : The number of periods.
           6.00 : The annual rate.
     100,000.00 : The present value.
      -3,335.95 : The payment.
           0.00 : The future value.
           4.00 : Payments per year.
           2.00 : Compounding periods per year.
           0.00 : Payments due at end.

Calculating Remaining Balance for Underpayment

Lisa has a student loan of $50,000 for 20 years at 5% interest, compounded monthly with monthly payments. The calculated monthly payment is $329.98, but if she can only afford to pay $300 per month, how much will she still owe at the end of the 20-year term?

Value Keystrokes Display Description
  shift, C TVM   Clears the financial variables.
12 STO, P/YR 12.00 Sets the payments per year.
20 shift, xP/YR 240.00 Sets the total number of payments to the value in x (20) times the payments per year.
5 I/YR 5.00 Stores the annual interest rate.
50000 PV 50,000.00 Stores the loan amount, PV.
-300 PMT -300.00 Store the actual payment amount.
  FV -12,321.91 Calculate the future value (remaining balance).

If Lisa consistently underpays by making $300 monthly payments instead of the required $329.98, she will still owe $12,321.91 at the end of the 20-year term.

The History Detail

Calculates the Future Value
         240.00 : The number of periods.
           5.00 : The annual rate.
      50,000.00 : The present value.
        -300.00 : The payment.
     -12,321.91 : The future value.
          12.00 : Payments per year.
          12.00 : Compounding periods per year.
           0.00 : Payments due at end.

Tips for Real-World Loan Calculations

By mastering these techniques, you can use the TVM calculator to analyze various real-world loan scenarios quickly and accurately, helping you make informed financial decisions.