# nPer - script and chart function

This function returns the number of periods for an investment based on periodic, constant payments and a constant interest rate.

Syntax:

nPer(rate, pmt, pv [ ,fv [ , type ] ])

Return data type: numeric

Arguments:

nPernPer arguments

| Argument | Description |
| --- | --- |
| rate | The interest rate per<br>period. |
| nper | The total number of<br>payment periods in an annuity. |
| pmt | The payment made each<br>period. It cannot change over the life of the annuity. A payment is stated as a negative number, for example, -20. |
| pv | The present value, or<br>lump-sum amount, that a series of future payments is worth right now.<br>If pv is omitted, it is assumed<br>to be 0 (zero). |
| fv | The future value, or<br>cash balance, you want to attain after the last payment is made. If fv is omitted, it is assumed to be<br>0. |
| type | Should be 0 if payments<br>are due at the end of the period and 1 if payments are due at the beginning<br>of the period. If type is omitted,<br>it is assumed to be 0. |

Examples and results:

Examples and results

| Example | Result |
| --- | --- |
| You want to sell a household appliance by monthly installments<br>of $20. The interest rate is 6% per annum. The bill comes at the end of<br>every month. How many periods are required if the value of the money received after the last bill has been paid should equal $800?<br><br>`nPer(0.005,-20,0,800)` | Returns 36.56 |