Quick Answer

NOMINAL Function

Calculates the nominal annual interest rate from an effective rate.

✓ Excel✓ Google SheetsExcel All versions

Syntax

NOMINAL
(effect_rate, npery)

Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
effect_rateEffective annual interest rate.Required
nperyNumber of compounding periods per year.Required

Basic Example

Nominal rate from an effective annual rate

=NOMINAL(0.0617, 12)
Result6.00%

An effective annual rate of 6.17% with monthly compounding corresponds to a 6% nominal rate.

Advanced Examples

Example 1: Annual percentage rate calculation

Loan disclosure

Find the nominal APR from an effective rate

=NOMINAL(0.08, 12)
Result: 7.72%
An 8% effective annual rate with monthly compounding corresponds to a 7.72% nominal rate.

How NOMINAL Works

NOMINAL is the inverse of EFFECT. It computes the nominal rate that, when compounded npery times per year, produces the given effective annual rate.

1
Enter effect_rate
Type the effect_rate
2
Enter npery
Type the npery
3
Calculate
Press Enter to get the result.

Important Notes & Limitations

  • Requires npery >= 1.

  • Result is the nominal annual rate, not the periodic rate.

Common Errors & Fixes

#NUM! errornpery is less than 1 or effect_rate is invalid.

Fix: Ensure npery >= 1 and effect_rate is a positive decimal.

Wrong rateEffective rate was entered as a percentage instead of a decimal.

Fix: Enter 0.0617 for 6.17%, not 6.17.

Download Practice File

Practice NOMINAL with Real Data

Download a sample CSV file with pre-populated data and practice exercises for the NOMINAL function. Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.

Works in Google SheetsCompatible with ExcelIncludes exercises

File format: CSV (comma-separated values) - opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and all spreadsheet apps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between NOMINAL and EFFECT?
NOMINAL converts effective to nominal. EFFECT converts nominal to effective.
When do I need NOMINAL?
When you know the effective annual rate and want to express it as a nominal annual rate for disclosure or comparison.