Business calculator

Free commercial loan calculator

Enter the loan amount, interest rate, and term — this commercial loan calculator shows monthly payment, total interest, and DSCR context for a commercial real-estate or business loan, updated live, as you type.

InputsLive
Loan amount
$
Down payment
$
Annual interest rate
%
Loan term
yrs
Result
Monthly payment
$391.32
Total interest: $3,479.38 · Total cost: $23,479.38
Monthly payment$391.32
Total interest$3,479.38
Total cost$23,479.38
Amount financed$20,000

Fixed-rate amortized loan. Does not include fees, insurance, or taxes. Rates and terms vary by lender.

Results are estimates. Consult a professional.

How it's calculated

How the commercial loan calculator works

Commercial real estate loans share the same amortization formula as residential mortgages, but with a critical structural difference: most are not fully amortizing. A typical commercial loan has a 20- or 25-year amortization schedule — setting the payment amount — but a 5-, 7-, or 10-year balloon term, at which point the entire remaining balance is due. Lenders also evaluate every commercial loan against three underwriting thresholds: DSCR, LTV, and Debt Yield.

Monthly payment = P × r × (1 + r)^n ÷ ((1 + r)^n 1)
Where: P = loan principal, r = monthly rate (APR ÷ 12), n = amortization term in months
DSCR = Net Operating Income (NOI) ÷ Annual Debt Service
LTV = Loan Amount ÷ Appraised Property Value
Debt Yield = NOI ÷ Loan Amount

The balloon payment is perhaps the most important feature of commercial loans that residential borrowers find unfamiliar. Payments are calculated as if the loan runs 25 years, but after 7 years (for example), the borrower must refinance or pay the remaining balance — which can be 85–90% of the original loan amount, even after 7 years of payments.

FDIC — Commercial Real Estate Lending guidance and examination procedures.
Example

Worked example: $250,000 commercial loan at 7% / 10 years

Example: $250,000 / 7% APR / 10-year amortization (no balloon)

A small business owner purchases a mixed-use commercial property with a $250,000 mortgage at 7% APR, fully amortizing over 10 years (120 months). The property generates $36,000/year in NOI. What is the monthly payment, total cost, and DSCR?

r = 7% ÷ 12 = 0.5833% per month (0.005833)
(1.005833)^120 = 2.0099
Monthly payment = 250,000 × 0.005833 × 2.0099 ÷ (2.0099 1)
= 250,000 × 0.011724 ÷ 1.0099
≈ $2,903 per month
Annual debt service = $2,903 × 12 = $34,836
DSCR = $36,000 NOI ÷ $34,836 = 1.03 — below lender threshold of 1.25
Total interest paid = ($2,903 × 120) $250,000 = $98,360
$2,903/mo
A $250,000 commercial loan at 7% over 10 years costs $2,903 per month and $98,360 in total interest — but requires NOI of at least $43,545/yr (1.25 DSCR) for lender approval.
Quick reference

Monthly payments by loan size, rate, and amortization term

Figures assume fixed-rate, fully amortizing loans with no balloon. Most commercial loans in practice are 25-year amortizations with 5- or 10-year balloon terms — use the 25-year row to estimate the monthly payment, and know the remaining balance will be due at the balloon date.

APRAmort. Term$250k$500k$1M$2M
6.5%10 years$2,840$5,680$11,360$22,720
6.5%20 years$1,864$3,728$7,456$14,912
6.5%25 years$1,688$3,376$6,751$13,502
7.0%10 years$2,903$5,806$11,611$23,222
7.0%20 years$1,938$3,876$7,752$15,503
7.0%25 years$1,767$3,534$7,068$14,137
8.0%10 years$3,034$6,067$12,133$24,266
8.0%20 years$2,091$4,183$8,366$16,731
8.0%25 years$1,930$3,860$7,720$15,440

Source: Calculator-s.cloud amortization model; FDIC commercial lending benchmarks. Balloon balances not shown.

Practical tips

Tips for commercial real estate financing

Commercial lending underwriting is fundamentally asset- and income-based, not just borrower-credit-based. Lenders care most about whether the property's cash flow can service the debt — the borrower's personal creditworthiness is secondary. Understanding the three key ratios before approaching a lender puts you in a stronger negotiating position.

  • Calculate DSCR before you shop — Lenders require DSCR ≥ 1.25 (most banks) to 1.35 (conservative lenders). If your NOI doesn't cover 125% of projected debt service, reduce the loan amount, increase the down payment, or negotiate higher rents before applying.
  • Understand the balloon date risk — A 25-year amortization with a 7-year balloon means you must refinance in year 7, regardless of rates. If rates have risen significantly by then, your new monthly payment could be much higher. Some borrowers buy interest rate caps to hedge this risk.
  • Target LTV of 75% or below — Most commercial lenders cap LTV at 75–80% (20–25% down payment). Lower LTV qualifies you for better rates and broader lender choice. SBA 504 loans can finance up to 90% LTV but require occupancy.
  • Track debt yield alongside DSCR — Debt Yield = NOI ÷ Loan Amount. Lenders increasingly use this metric because it's independent of interest rate and amortization term. A debt yield of 8–9% is typically the minimum threshold for institutional lenders.
  • Budget for reserves — Most commercial lenders require 3–6 months of debt service held in reserve at closing, plus a capital expenditure reserve (typically $0.15–$0.25/sq ft/yr for older properties). These are out-of-pocket costs on top of the down payment.
Accuracy & limits

Accuracy and limitations

This calculator models fixed-rate, fully amortizing term loans. Most commercial real estate loans are not fully amortizing — they have shorter balloon terms (5, 7, or 10 years) within a longer amortization schedule. This calculator does not model balloon payments, floating-rate loans (including SOFR-based commercial rates), interest-only periods, construction-to-permanent loan structures, SBA 504 first- and second-mortgage structures, or lender-specific fees (origination, appraisal, environmental assessment, title insurance).

Not tax or financial advice. Commercial real estate transactions involve significant legal, tax, and financial complexity. Depreciation, cost segregation, 1031 exchanges, and passive activity loss rules can materially affect the after-tax economics of a commercial property. Always consult a licensed commercial real estate attorney, CPA, and qualified lender before committing to any commercial property acquisition or financing.

Glossary

Commercial loan terms defined

Net Operating Income divided by total annual debt service (principal + interest). The primary underwriting metric for commercial loans. A DSCR of 1.25 means the property generates $1.25 in income for every $1.00 in debt payments.
The loan amount divided by the appraised value of the property. Most commercial lenders cap LTV at 75–80%. A lower LTV means a larger equity cushion for the lender, typically resulting in better loan terms.
Net Operating Income divided by the loan amount. A metric used by institutional lenders that is independent of interest rate and amortization assumptions. Typical minimum: 8–9% for conventional commercial loans.
A lump-sum payment of the remaining loan balance due at the end of the balloon term (typically 5, 7, or 10 years). The borrower must refinance or sell the property to satisfy this payment.
The number of years used to calculate monthly payments as if the loan would fully pay off. Most commercial loans use 20- or 25-year amortization, regardless of the shorter balloon term.
Gross rental income minus all operating expenses (property taxes, insurance, maintenance, management fees), excluding debt service and depreciation. NOI is the income measure used for DSCR and capitalization rate calculations.
NOI divided by the property's market value or purchase price. Used to compare income-producing properties. A higher cap rate implies higher income yield relative to price, but often also higher risk or a lower-quality location.
About

About this commercial loan calculator

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Questions

Frequently asked questions about the free commercial loan calculator

A commercial loan calculator is a free online tool that helps you calculate monthly payment and total interest for a commercial real-estate or business loan. Standard amortization, defaulted to a $250k 10-year term at 7%. It runs entirely in your browser with instant results and no sign-up.
No — these calculators provide quick estimates for planning and decisions. For tax filings, financial reporting, or formal valuations, use a CPA / CFA.
Most ratios assume GAAP figures from financial statements. For cash-basis or tax-basis filings, adjust the inputs accordingly.
Core finance formulas (DCF, IRR, depreciation methods, payment math) are stable. Tax-specific calculators (like-kind, repossession) reflect post-TCJA / 2025 rules where applicable.

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