How to Calculate a Coupon Payment

Co-authored by Michael R. Lewis

Last Updated: November 25, 2022 References

Bonds are a kind of debt instrument that offer investors a method of seeing a secure, predictable return.^{[1]
X
Research source} Investors purchase bonds above, below, or at their face value, and then receive coupon payments every six months over the life of the bond, finally receiving the face amount as well when the bond matures. The amount of each coupon payment depends on the terms of the bond, and knowing how to calculate a coupon payment is a matter of performing a simple calculation.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Gathering the Bond Information

Download Article

The first piece of information is the actual face value of the bond, sometimes called its par value.^{[2]
X
Research source} Note that this value might be (and probably is) different from what you paid for the bond. It's given to you by your broker.
You'll also need to locate the bond expiration or maturity date.^{[3]
X
Research source} That way, you can get a sense of how long you'll be receiving coupons and when you can expect to get your money back. This information is also provided to you by your broker.

Advertisement
The coupon rate is usually expressed as a percentage (e.g., 8%).^{[4]
X
Research source} You'll need this information, also provided by your broker, to calculate the coupon payment.
The current yield will show you your return on your bond investment, exclusive of capital gains.^{[5]
X
Research source} This value is necessary if you want to calculate your coupon payment based on the price that you're paying for the bond instead of its face value. The current yield may or may not be provided by your broker. If it isn't provided, don't worry about it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Calculating the Coupon Payment

Download Article

1
Use the coupon rate and the face value to calculate the annual payment. If you know the face value of the bond and its coupon rate, you can calculate the annual coupon payment by multiplying the coupon rate times the bond's face value.
- For example, if the coupon rate is 8% and the bond's face value is $1,000, then the annual coupon payment is .08 * 1000 or $80.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
2
Use the current yield to calculate the annual coupon payment. This only works if your broker provided you with the current yield of the bond. To calculate the payment based on the current yield, just multiply the current yield times the amount that you paid for the bond (note, that might not be the same as the bond's face value).
- For example, if you paid $800 for a bond and its current yield is 10%, your coupon payment is .1 * 800 or $80.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
3
Calculate the payment by frequency. Since bondholders generally receive their coupon payments semiannually, you just divide the annual coupon payment by two to receive the actual coupon payment.
- For example, if the annual coupon payment is $80, then the actual coupon payment is $80/2 or $40.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

The calculations above will work equally well when expressed in other currencies.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Be careful about confusing the current yield with the adjusted current yield, which takes into account capital gains.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
If you sell the bond for more than you paid for it, you'll have additional income beyond the coupon payments.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0