How to Calculate Basis Points: Formulas, Examples & Excel Guide
Core Rule: 1 basis point = 0.01% = 0.0001. Everything else flows from this.
The Core Formula for Basis Points
Two master formulas cover most situations:
- BPS from two rates: BPS = (Rate A − Rate B) × 100 (use percentage values, e.g. 6.50 and 6.25)
- BPS from a single percentage: BPS = Percentage × 100 (e.g. 0.25% × 100 = 25 BPS)
How to Calculate Basis Points from a Percentage
Formula: BPS = Percentage (%) × 100 | Reverse: Percentage = BPS ÷ 100
| Percentage | Calculation | Basis Points |
|---|---|---|
| 0.01% | 0.01 × 100 | 1 BPS |
| 0.25% | 0.25 × 100 | 25 BPS |
| 0.50% | 0.50 × 100 | 50 BPS |
| 1.00% | 1.00 × 100 | 100 BPS |
| 2.50% | 2.50 × 100 | 250 BPS |
How to Calculate Basis Points Between Two Rates
Formula: BPS = (Rate A − Rate B) × 100
Worked Examples:
- Mortgage negotiation: (7.00 − 6.50) × 100 = 50 BPS reduction
- Fed rate hike: (5.50 − 5.25) × 100 = 25 BPS increase
- Bond yield spread: (5.85 − 4.20) × 100 = 165 BPS spread
How to Calculate Basis Point Value (Dollar Impact)
Formula: Dollar Impact = Loan Amount × (BPS ÷ 10,000)
Example — $300,000 mortgage, 25 BPS change: $300,000 × (25 ÷ 10,000) = $750 per year (~$62.50/month).
| BPS Change | % Change | Annual Impact ($300k loan) | Monthly Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 BPS | 0.10% | $300/yr | $25/mo |
| 25 BPS | 0.25% | $750/yr | $62.50/mo |
| 50 BPS | 0.50% | $1,500/yr | $125/mo |
| 100 BPS | 1.00% | $3,000/yr | $250/mo |
How to Calculate Basis Points in Excel
BPS between two rates (as decimals)
=(B2-C2)*10000 Convert percentage to BPS
=B3*10000 Convert BPS to percentage
=B4/10000 Dollar impact of BPS on a loan
=B5*(C5/10000) B5 = loan amount, C5 = BPS value
Quick Reference: All BPS Formulas
| What to Calculate | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| BPS from two rates | (Rate A − Rate B) × 100 | (6.50 − 6.25) × 100 = 25 BPS |
| BPS from a percentage | % × 100 | 0.75% × 100 = 75 BPS |
| Percentage from BPS | BPS ÷ 100 | 50 BPS ÷ 100 = 0.50% |
| Dollar impact on loan | Loan × (BPS ÷ 10,000) | $300k × (25÷10,000) = $750/yr |
| Commission in dollars | Value × (BPS ÷ 10,000) | $400k × (75÷10,000) = $3,000 |
| Spread between two rates | (High − Low) × 100 | (6.80−4.25) × 100 = 255 BPS |