Calculator Methodology & Sources

How our calculators work, which formulas they use, and where the data comes from. Last reviewed: January 2026.

Finance Calculators

Mortgage & Loan Calculators

All loan payment calculations use the standard amortization formula: M = P[r(1+r)ⁿ]/[(1+r)ⁿ−1] where P = principal, r = monthly interest rate, n = number of payments. This is the same formula used by banks and mortgage servicers. CFPB

Tax Calculator

Uses 2024 federal income tax brackets from the IRS. Does not include state taxes, the standard deduction, itemized deductions, or tax credits. Results are estimates only. IRS.gov Updated Jan 2026

Retirement Calculator

Uses future value of annuity formula with monthly compounding. The 4% safe withdrawal rate is based on the Trinity Study (Cooley, Hubbard, Walz, 1998) and subsequent research. Trinity Study

Inflation Calculator

Uses compound inflation formula with a user-specified rate. The US historical average of ~3% is based on CPI data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics going back to 1913. BLS.gov

Roth vs Traditional IRA

Compares after-tax retirement value assuming tax-free Roth growth vs pre-tax Traditional growth taxed at withdrawal. Does not account for state taxes, required minimum distributions, or contribution limit phase-outs. IRS Publication 590

Health Calculators

BMI Calculator

Uses the standard WHO formula: BMI = weight(kg) / height(m)². Imperial conversion: BMI = 703 × weight(lbs) / height(inches)². BMI categories follow WHO classifications (underweight <18.5, normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥30). WHO

Calorie & TDEE Calculators

The Mifflin-St Jeor equation (1990) is used by default: Men: BMR = 10W + 6.25H − 5A + 5; Women: BMR = 10W + 6.25H − 5A − 161, where W = weight in kg, H = height in cm, A = age. Activity multipliers follow standard exercise physiology guidelines. Mifflin et al., 1990

Body Fat Calculator

Uses the U.S. Navy circumference method, validated for use in large populations. Not as accurate as DEXA scanning or hydrostatic weighing but widely accepted for general fitness assessment. U.S. Navy / Hodgdon & Beckett, 1984

Pregnancy & Due Date

Uses Naegele's Rule (LMP + 280 days) as the standard clinical calculation. Adjusted for cycle length variation from the 28-day baseline. Ultrasound dating is more accurate after 8–10 weeks. ACOG

BAC Calculator

Uses the Widmark formula: BAC = (A × 5.14 / W × r) − 0.015 × H, where A = alcohol in oz, W = body weight in lbs, r = gender constant (0.73 male, 0.66 female), H = hours drinking. This is an estimate — individual metabolism varies significantly. Widmark, 1932

Business Calculators

Rental Property Calculator

Cap rate = Net Operating Income / Purchase Price. Cash-on-cash return = Annual Pre-Tax Cash Flow / Total Cash Invested. NOI excludes mortgage payments (it's a property metric, not a financing metric). CCIM Institute

Freelance Rate Calculator

Calculates minimum viable rate by grossing up desired net income for self-employment tax (15.3% SE tax + income tax rate), then dividing by actual billable hours. Industry benchmark: freelance rate should be 2–3× equivalent employee hourly rate. IRS SE Tax Guidelines

Carbon Footprint Calculator

Driving emissions use EPA's 8.887 kg CO₂/gallon for gasoline. Flight emissions use ICAO average factors (short-haul: ~255g CO₂e/km per passenger; long-haul: higher radiative forcing multiplier applied). Dietary data from University of Oxford meta-analysis (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). EPA · ICAO · Oxford

General Notes

All calculations on nnng.com are performed entirely in your browser — no data is sent to any server. Results are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, medical, legal, or tax advice. See our full disclaimer for details.

We review and update our calculators annually or when underlying regulations, formulas, or data sources change. If you believe a formula is incorrect or outdated, please contact us.