Per Diem Formula:
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Per diem on a loan amount refers to the daily interest amount calculated based on the principal amount and the interest rate. It represents how much interest accrues each day on the loan.
The calculator uses the per diem formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the daily interest by multiplying the principal by the annual rate, then dividing by 365 days.
Details: Calculating per diem helps borrowers understand daily interest costs, useful for short-term loans or when making partial payments between regular payment dates.
Tips: Enter the loan amount in USD and the annual interest rate in decimal form (e.g., 0.075 for 7.5%). Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why divide by 365 instead of 360?
A: 365 is standard for most loans, though some commercial loans use 360 days. Check your loan terms for the correct day count.
Q2: Does this include compound interest?
A: No, this calculates simple daily interest. Compound interest would require a different formula accounting for accrued interest.
Q3: How accurate is this for leap years?
A: For most purposes, using 365 days is sufficient even in leap years, though you could use 366 for precise leap year calculations.
Q4: Can I use this for mortgage loans?
A: Yes, though mortgage per diem is typically calculated by servicers using your exact principal balance and note rate.
Q5: How does this relate to APR?
A: APR includes fees and other costs, while this calculates simple daily interest based on the nominal rate.