Equipment Loan Calculator
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How to use the equipment loan calculator
1. Enter your information
- Purchase price: The purchase price reflects the total amount the vendor is charging to purchase the desired equipment.
- Down payment: Many lenders require a down payment from the small-business owner — anywhere from 10% to 30% of the purchase price depending on the lender.
- Loan term: You may input your desired number of months, or base this number on the available terms from lenders you’re interested in. The longer the loan term, the lower your monthly payments; however, the total cost of financing may be higher with a longer term than a shorter term.
- APR: Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the yearly cost of borrowing money. It includes interest, plus any fees associated with the loan. If you don’t know the loan’s APR, you can enter the interest rate here instead.
How much do you need?
2. Calculate your results
- Monthly payment. This is the amount you’ll pay every month. It includes your contribution to the principal loan amount, interest and any fees.
- Total payments. This is the total amount you will pay your lender over the life of your loan. It includes the repayment of the principal amount, plus interest and fees.
- Total interest paid. This is the total amount the lender will charge you for your loan. It will vary based on the length of your loan term. If your lender doesn’t charge prepayment penalties, you can save on interest if you pay your loan off early.
What is an equipment loan?
Where to get equipment loans
- Banks and credit unions. Banks and credit unions generally offer the most affordable options to finance equipment. However, bank loans can be some of the most difficult to qualify for, often requiring strong personal credit, at least two years in business and high annual revenue.
- Online lenders. If you’re in need of a faster financing option, online lenders may be able to fund an equipment purchase in as little as 24 hours. Online lenders often have less stringent requirements to qualify for equipment loans; however, you’ll likely pay more in interest and fees.
- SBA lenders. Both SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans can be used to finance large equipment purchases, and may be offered by banks, credit unions, certified development companies (CDCs) or community development financial institutions (CDFIs). SBA equipment loans offer long terms — typically 10 years or more depending on the useful life of the equipment — and low interest rates, but you typically need good credit to qualify.
- Specialized equipment lenders. Some lenders, like JR Capital, specialize in equipment financing, especially for specific types of businesses like commercial construction or manufacturing. While these lenders likely won’t provide rates comparable to banks, it can be beneficial to work with specialized lenders that are familiar with your industry and the type of equipment you are financing.
- Manufacturers. Some manufacturers offer their own financing arrangements. For example, Cat and John Deere allow business owners to finance or lease equipment directly through them. This gives time-strapped business owners a convenient option with support from customer service representatives familiar with the equipment and challenges they face.
Should you lease equipment, instead?
- How long you need it. If the equipment has a short lifespan or you don’t plan on keeping it long, leasing might be the smarter, more flexible option.
- Your cash flow. Because leases typically come with lower upfront costs, such as no down payment, it may be the better option if you’d like to preserve cash flow for other business needs.
- Your financing options. If you’re just starting out or have less-than-perfect credit, qualifying for an equipment loan may be tough. In that case, leasing may be a practical alternative while you strengthen your business credentials or build your credit history.