1. What is a blended rate?
A blended rate is the weighted average interest rate across multiple loans or debts. It accounts for the size of each loan, giving more weight to larger balances. It represents your true overall cost of borrowing.
2. How is a blended rate calculated?
The blended rate is calculated by multiplying each loan balance by its interest rate, summing the results, and dividing by the total balance. It is a weighted average, not a simple average.
3. What is the difference between blended rate and average rate?
A simple average treats all loans equally regardless of size. A blended rate weights each loan by its balance. The blended rate is more accurate for understanding your true cost of debt.
4. Why is my blended rate lower than the average?
If your largest loan has the lowest rate, it pulls the blended rate down. This is common when a mortgage (large, low-rate) is combined with smaller, higher-rate debts.
5. What is the difference between blended rate and APR?
Blended rate is the average rate across multiple loans. APR is the annual cost of a single loan including fees. They measure different things. APR applies to one loan; blended rate applies to a portfolio.
6. How is a blended rate used in debt consolidation?
When consolidating debt, your new loan rate is compared to your blended rate. If the consolidation rate is lower than your blended rate, you save money. If higher, consolidation may cost more.
7. What is the difference between blended rate and weighted average?
They are the same concept. Blended rate is the term used in lending; weighted average is the general statistical term. Both account for the size of each component.
8. How accurate is this blended rate calculator?
It is mathematically precise based on standard weighted average formulas. However, actual loan payments depend on amortization schedules. This calculator provides an interest-rate-weighted average.