Annual Percentage Rate

Also called APR

Definition

The annual percentage rate (APR) expresses the cost of a mortgage as a yearly rate that includes the interest rate and certain additional charges for obtaining the loan. It is a broader snapshot than the interest rate. It is often higher than that rate, but “often” is not a guarantee in every structure.

In plain English

If the interest rate answers “what am I being charged on the balance?,” APR answers “what does this credit cost when some of the upfront finance charges are pulled into a yearly rate?” Two loans can share an interest rate and still show different APRs. Fees included in APR can differ even when the note rate matches. This page does not use APR as shopping advice. A lower APR is not a recommendation to take a loan. Detailed computational rules are outside this canary.

Technical definition

The supported consumer idea is scope: APR is designed to reflect more than the interest rate alone because certain additional charges are included. Exact methodology is not part of this freeze.

Why it matters

Disclosures print both figures for a reason. Readers who treat them as synonyms will mis-rank products that differ mainly in fees, not in note rate.

Example

Loan A and Loan B both carry the same interest rate. Loan A includes discount points; Loan B does not. Their APRs can diverge even though a rate quote sounded identical.

Commonly confused with

Sources reviewed

Important note

NONE REQUIRED

Last reviewed

September 4, 2026