Fixed Total Interest
$382,633.47
Fixed vs Adjustable Rate Calculator
Compare total cost of a fixed-rate loan vs. an ARM over the comparison horizon.
Total Cost Difference (Fixed − ARM)
-$34,516.69
ARM Total Interest
$417,150.15
Fixed Payment
$1,896.20
ARM Initial Payment
$1,703.37
How to use the Fixed vs Adjustable Rate Calculator
The Fixed vs Adjustable Rate Calculator is free and runs entirely in your browser — no sign-up, and nothing you enter leaves your device. It opens pre-filled with a realistic example, so you can see how it works before replacing any figure with your own; the results update as you type. Press Calculate to refresh the result panel, or Reset to return to the example.
The inputs it asks for:
- Loan Amount — a dollar amount.
- Fixed Rate — a percentage (enter 6 for 6%).
- ARM Initial Rate — a percentage (enter 6 for 6%).
- ARM Initial Period (yrs) — a number.
- ARM Rate After Adjustment — a percentage (enter 6 for 6%).
- Term (Years) — a number.
Worked example
Using the example values — Loan Amount $300,000.00, Fixed Rate 6.5%, ARM Initial Rate 5.5%, ARM Initial Period (yrs) 5, ARM Rate After Adjustment 7.5%, Term (Years) 30 — the Fixed vs Adjustable Rate Calculator returns a Total Cost Difference (Fixed − ARM) of -$34,516.69. It also reports Fixed Total Interest ($382,633.47), ARM Total Interest ($417,150.15), Fixed Payment ($1,896.20).
Prefer your own numbers? Change any field above and this recomputes instantly.