What is the fastest way to find the right calculator?
Press Ctrl+K on Windows or ⌘K on a Mac, or tap the / key, then type what you are trying to work out, such as "car payment" or "CD interest." The search covers all 65 calculators, the guides and the glossary. You can also browse the five topic pages if you prefer to scan.
Step by step
How do you get an answer in five steps?
Most questions take less than five minutes from search to a number you can use.
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Search or browse
Open search with Ctrl+K, ⌘K or the / key and type your question in everyday words. Or pick one of the five topics, then a section within it, to see related calculators side by side.
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Enter your own numbers
Replace the sample values with figures from your statement, offer or budget. Results update as you type, so you can try a few versions quickly. Hover or tap the info icons to see what each field means.
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Read the worked example
Below the calculator, a worked example runs the same math step by step with stated assumptions. If your result looks surprising, compare it with the example to see which input drives the difference.
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Check the assumptions
Each page says what the calculator includes and leaves out, such as fees, taxes or insurance. Our methodology page explains the formulas, compounding and rounding used across the site.
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Verify with the sources
The sources list links to the regulator or agency pages we relied on. Use them, and the lender or bank's own disclosures, to confirm anything you plan to act on.
What is on each calculator page?
Every calculator page uses the same layout, so once you know one you know them all.
The calculator
Inputs on one side, results on the other. It runs in an embedded frame served from our calculator app, and it works with a keyboard and screen readers.
A direct answer
A short answer to the main question the page covers, written so you can stop reading there if that is all you need.
How it works and an example
The formula in plain text, what each symbol means, and a worked example with every step computed and shown.
Mistakes, FAQs and sources
Common errors people make with that calculation, answers to related questions, and the official sources behind the page.
Which display and accessibility settings can you change?
Open the display panel from the header to adjust how the site looks. These choices are saved only in your browser.
- Light, dark or system theme
- Three color palettes
- Larger text sizes
- Higher contrast
- Reduced motion
- Underlined, highlighted links
- Recent searches remembered on this device only
What happens to the numbers you type?
They stay on your device. The calculator uses your inputs to work out the results on screen, and it may keep them in the frame's browser storage so a reload does not wipe them. They are not sent to us, and we cannot see them.
Your display settings, cookie choices and recent searches are kept in your browser's local storage under items that start with "cip-". Clearing your site data removes all of it. Our privacy policy and cookie policy list every item and how long it lasts.
A calculator is a starting point for a question, never the last word on a decision. Check the assumptions, then check the source.
Frequently asked questions
Which keyboard shortcuts open the site search?
Press Ctrl+K on Windows and Linux, ⌘K on a Mac, or the / key on any page when you are not typing in a field. The search box opens with your recent searches listed. Use the arrow keys to move through results and Enter to open one. Press Escape to close it.
Why do the results change as I type?
The calculator recomputes after each change so you can see how one input moves the answer. There is no submit button to press. If a field is empty or holds a value that does not make sense, such as a negative term, fix that field first and the results will catch up.
Can I print or share my calculator results?
You can print the page with your browser's print command or take a screenshot. Your inputs are not stored on our servers, so there is no shareable link to a saved result. If you want to send someone the calculation, share the page link along with the numbers you entered.
What should I do if a calculator gives a result I think is wrong?
First compare your inputs with the worked example on the same page, since a misplaced decimal or a rate entered as a monthly figure is a common cause. If the result still looks wrong, email the corrections address on our contact page with the inputs you used. Confirmed errors are fixed within 5 business days.
Do the calculators work on a phone?
Yes. Every page, including the embedded calculator, adjusts to small screens. On a narrow screen the results appear below the inputs instead of beside them, and the display panel lets you enlarge text if the numbers feel small. If something looks wrong on your device, tell us which phone and browser you use.
Why does each page list sources?
So you can verify the rules yourself rather than take our word for them. We cite regulators and government agencies, such as the CFPB, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the IRS, because they publish the rules lenders and banks must follow. The sources list sits near the bottom of each page.
Can I use the calculators with a screen reader or keyboard only?
They are designed to be. Every input has a text label, you can move through fields with Tab, and the display panel offers larger text, higher contrast and reduced motion. If something does not work with your assistive technology, tell us through the contact page; our accessibility statement explains how we handle reports.
How do I reset a calculator to its starting values?
Overwrite the fields with new values, or clear the saved inputs by clearing site data for this website in your browser settings. Reloading alone may bring back your last inputs, because the calculator can remember them on your device until that storage is cleared.
Try it with a real question from your own budget
Open the search, type what you want to work out, and compare the result with the worked example.