HomeBlog
✦ 62 Free Guides

The ToolLoom Blog

In-depth guides on finance, investment, tax, health, security, coding and digital tools — updated June 2026.

🆕 Latest Guides — June 2026 New
📈 Investment Guide

Step-Up SIP Calculator Guide: How Annual Increases Multiply Your Returns

How step-up SIP works, the maths behind annual top-ups, regular SIP vs step-up SIP over 20 years, and the ideal step-up percentage for salary growth.

📅 Jun 2026 · 9 minRead →
📝 Writing Tool Guide

Word Repeater Guide: What It Is and Why People Actually Use It

Repeating text for testing, stress-testing input fields, generating filler content, social media spam patterns, and legitimate use cases explained.

📅 Jun 2026 · 6 minRead →
🔢 Finance & Writing Guide

Number to Words Converter Guide: Cheque Writing & Indian Numbering System

How to write numbers in words for cheques, the Indian lakh/crore system vs international million/billion, legal amount formatting, and common bank rejection reasons.

📅 Jun 2026 · 7 minRead →
💰 Finance Guide

Gratuity Calculator India 2026: Formula, Eligibility & Tax-Free Limit

Updated gratuity formula for FY 2026-27, 5-year eligibility rule, the ₹20 lakh tax exemption ceiling, and what happens during resignation vs termination.

📅 Jun 2026 · 8 minRead →
⛽ Travel Guide

Fuel Cost Calculator India: Trip Cost, Mileage & Petrol vs Diesel vs EV

How to calculate trip fuel cost, mileage by vehicle type, petrol vs diesel vs CNG vs EV running cost comparison, and tips to improve real-world mileage.

📅 Jun 2026 · 8 minRead →
🎨 Design Guide

Color Picker Guide: HEX, RGB, HSL Explained for Designers & Developers

Color format conversions explained, picking accessible color contrasts, building a palette from one base color, and common CSS color mistakes to avoid.

📅 Jun 2026 · 7 minRead →
⌨️ Productivity Guide

Typing Speed Test Guide: WPM, Accuracy & Government Exam Requirements (2026)

How WPM is calculated, average speeds by profession, SSC and IBPS typing test requirements, touch typing basics, and how to improve 10–20 WPM in a month.

📅 Jun 2026 · 9 minRead →
💻 Developer Guide

JSON Formatter Guide: What Is JSON, How to Validate & Format It (2026)

JSON syntax rules, common errors and how to fix them, formatting vs minifying, JSON vs XML, JSON Schema basics, and best practices for APIs and config files.

📅 Jun 2026 · 8 minRead →
🖼️ Tech Guide

Image Compressor Guide: Reduce File Size Without Losing Quality (2026)

How image compression works, JPG vs PNG vs WebP compared, ideal quality settings for web and WhatsApp, DPI myths debunked, and safe browser-based compression.

📅 Jun 2026 · 8 minRead →
🔥 Health Guide

BMR Calculator India: What Is Your Basal Metabolic Rate & How to Use It

BMR formula (Mifflin-St Jeor & Harris-Benedict), activity multipliers, calorie targets for weight loss vs gain, and Indian dietary context.

📅 Jun 2026 · 9 minRead →
🔤 Writing Guide

Case Converter Guide: When to Use Title Case, camelCase & snake_case

All 10 text case formats explained — when each is used in writing, coding, SEO, and social media, with real examples and style guide references.

📅 Jun 2026 · 7 minRead →
💵 Finance Guide

Simple Interest Calculator India: Formula, Vs Compound Interest & Loan Uses

SI formula with worked examples, when banks use simple vs compound interest, how it applies to personal loans, and the true cost comparison.

📅 Jun 2026 · 8 minRead →
🧾 Tax Guide

GST Invoice Guide India: What Every Invoice Must Include (2026)

Mandatory fields on a GST invoice, B2B vs B2C differences, e-invoicing threshold, QR code requirements, and common errors that attract notices.

📅 Jun 2026 · 10 minRead →
🧾 Tax Guide

Is GST Applicable on Salary in India? Everything Employees Must Know

Why salary is not subject to GST, when employee benefits attract GST, employer ITC on perquisites, and freelancer vs employee GST treatment.

📅 Jun 2026 · 8 minRead →
🏠 Loan Guide

Home Loan Calculator Guide: EMI, Amortisation, Prepayment & Tax Benefits

How home loan EMIs are calculated, Section 24 and 80C deductions, prepayment vs tenure reduction, and PMAY subsidy eligibility.

📅 Jun 2026 · 11 minRead →
🏠 Finance Guide

Home Loan vs Rent in India 2026: Which Is Actually Better for You?

Real cost of owning vs renting across 8 Indian cities, opportunity cost of down payment, break-even analysis, HRA vs home loan tax benefits.

📅 Jun 2026 · 10 minRead →
📊 Investment Guide

PPF vs FD vs SIP: Complete Comparison for Indian Investors (2026)

Returns, liquidity, tax treatment, risk, lock-in periods, and the right choice at every income level and financial goal — with real number comparisons.

📅 Jun 2026 · 10 minRead →
🔄 Tools Guide

Unit Converter Guide: Length, Weight, Temperature & More (India Edition)

All common conversions explained — metric to imperial, Indian units (tola, bigha, maund), temperature, speed, data storage, with quick reference tables.

📅 Jun 2026 · 8 minRead →
🏁 Retirement Guide

Retirement Calculator India: How Much Do You Really Need to Retire?

The retirement corpus formula, inflation-adjusted calculations, EPF + NPS + PPF + SIP strategy, and what ₹1 crore actually buys in 2046.

📅 Jun 2026 · 11 minRead →
💼 Salary Guide

Salary Calculator India: CTC, In-Hand Pay, PF, Gratuity & Tax Explained

How CTC breaks down into take-home pay, PF contributions, HRA, LTA, special allowances, and new vs old regime impact on monthly salary.

📅 Jun 2026 · 10 minRead →
📈 Investment Guide

NPS Calculator Guide: Returns, Tax Benefits & Should You Invest? (2026)

NPS Tier I vs Tier II, the 80CCD deduction (including extra ₹50,000), expected corpus at retirement, and how NPS compares to PPF and ELSS.

📅 Jun 2026 · 10 minRead →
🏦 Loan Guide

Loan Eligibility Calculator: How Banks Decide How Much to Lend You

FOIR and LTV explained, income multipliers by loan type, CIBIL score impact, co-applicant benefits, and how to increase your eligible loan amount.

📅 Jun 2026 · 9 minRead →
🏠 Tax Guide

HRA Calculator India: How to Calculate HRA Exemption & Maximise It

The three-condition HRA formula, metro vs non-metro rules, what counts as rent paid, HRA vs home loan deduction choice, and Form 12BB filing.

📅 Jun 2026 · 9 minRead →
💰 Finance Guide

Gratuity Calculator India: Formula, Eligibility & Tax on Gratuity (2026)

Gratuity formula for covered and non-covered employees, the ₹20 lakh tax-free ceiling, forfeiture rules, and what happens when you leave before 5 years.

📅 Jun 2026 · 8 minRead →
💧 Health Guide

Water Intake Calculator: How Much Water Do You Actually Need Per Day?

The 8-glasses myth debunked, weight-based formula, how activity, climate, and pregnancy change requirements, and hydration signs for Indian summers.

📅 Jun 2026 · 7 minRead →
📊 Investment Guide

Mutual Fund Guide India: Types, How to Invest & SIP vs Lump Sum (2026)

Equity vs debt vs hybrid funds, direct vs regular plans, expense ratio impact, SIP vs lump sum timing, ELSS for tax saving, and how to read a fund factsheet.

📅 Jun 2026 · 11 minRead →
🧾 Tax Guide

TDS on Salary India: How It's Calculated, Form 16 & How to Get a Refund

How employers calculate monthly TDS, why TDS changes mid-year, Form 16 Part A and B explained, declaring investments, and claiming TDS refund in ITR.

📅 Jun 2026 · 10 minRead →
💳 Finance Guide

Credit Card vs Debit Card in India: Which Is Safer & Which Saves More?

Fraud liability differences, reward points comparison, credit score impact, hidden fees, UPI vs card at checkout, and when to use which in 2026.

📅 Jun 2026 · 9 minRead →
🧮 Calculator & Finance Guides — May 2026
📈 Investment Guide

PPF Calculator India: Returns, Partial Withdrawal & Loan Against PPF

PPF interest calculation, 15-year maturity amount, partial withdrawal rules after year 7, loan against PPF, and extension options.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
📊 Investment Guide

SIP Calculator Guide: Monthly Returns, XIRR & Step-Up SIP Explained

How SIP returns are calculated, what XIRR means vs CAGR, step-up SIP projections, and how to set a ₹1 crore SIP goal.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
🏦 Finance Guide

FD Calculator India: Interest Rates, TDS Rules & Best Banks in 2026

FD interest formula (quarterly compounding), TDS above ₹40,000, senior citizen rates, cumulative vs non-cumulative FDs, and sweep-in FD explained.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
🧾 Tax Guide

Income Tax Calculator India: New Regime Slabs, Surcharge & Cess (2026)

Complete new regime slab breakdown, marginal relief on surcharge, 87A rebate, standard deduction, and which regime saves more at every salary band.

📅 May 2026 · 10 minRead →
🥗 Health Guide

Calorie Calculator India: Daily Requirements, ICMR Standards & Weight Goals

ICMR daily calorie recommendations by age and gender, sedentary vs active requirements, Indian food calorie reference table, and calorie deficit for weight loss.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
🏷️ Shopping Guide

Discount Calculator Guide: Sale Price, % Off, Reverse Discount & GST

All four discount formulas, final price with GST and discount combined, the successive discount trap, and BOGO deal real value calculation.

📅 May 2026 · 7 minRead →
💳 Credit Score Guide

CIBIL Score: What It Is, How It's Calculated & How to Improve It (2026)

Score ranges, all 5 weightings, free check methods, what drops your score, and a step-by-step improvement plan with realistic timelines.

📅 May 2026 · 11 minRead →
📝 Writing Guide

Word Count Guide 2026: Ideal Length for Every Type of Content

Blog posts, landing pages, academic essays, emails, social media — exact recommended word counts backed by SEO data and platform research.

📅 May 2026 · 8 minRead →
🧾 Finance & Tax Guide

Income Tax Calculator India 2026 — New vs Old Regime Compared

New tax slab rates, rebate under 87A, which regime saves more at every salary level, HRA, standard deduction, and how to choose correctly.

📅 May 2026 · 10 minRead →
⚖️ Health Guide

Ideal Weight for Your Height in India — Charts, Formulas & Reality Check

BMI vs ideal weight, Hamwi and Devine formulas, Indian body composition differences, waist-to-height ratio, and what the numbers actually mean.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
📈 Investment Guide

How to Calculate SIP Returns: Formula, XIRR & Realistic Expectations

The SIP formula explained, what XIRR is and why to use it, step-up SIPs, lump sum vs SIP, and how to set realistic return expectations.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
🔐 Security Guide

Password Strength Guide: What Makes a Password Truly Uncrackable in 2026

Entropy in plain English, why length beats complexity, how modern crackers work, the passphrases method, and a strength checklist.

📅 May 2026 · 8 minRead →
🧮 Tax Guide

GST Calculator Guide: All Slabs, Reverse GST & How to Calculate

GST slabs 0%–28%, inclusive vs exclusive, CGST/SGST/IGST split, reverse GST formula, and the composition scheme explained.

📅 May 2026 · 10 minRead →
🧾 Freelancer Guide

GST for Freelancers in India: Registration, Filing & What You Can Claim

When freelancers must register, what services are taxable, input tax credit, quarterly vs monthly filing, and common costly mistakes.

📅 May 2026 · 11 minRead →
% Education Guide

How to Calculate Percentage of Marks: CBSE, Board Exams & CGPA

Step-by-step formula for total marks percentage, CGPA to percentage conversion, aggregate for multiple subjects, and scholarship cut-offs.

📅 May 2026 · 7 minRead →
📋 Exam Guide

UPSC Age Limit 2026: General, OBC, SC/ST & How to Calculate Yours

Upper age limits, category relaxations, the official 1 August cutoff, how to calculate exactly on the cutoff, and common eligibility mistakes.

📅 May 2026 · 8 minRead →
🎂 Date Guide

How Many Days Until My Birthday? Calculate & Plan Your Countdown

How the day countdown works, leap year edge cases, milestone birthdays in days, and celebrating your 10,000th day.

📅 May 2026 · 6 minRead →
🎲 Quick Guide

Random Number 1 to 10: How It Works and Where It's Used

Why picking a number 1–10 isn't truly random, how computers generate it, bias in human selection, and real uses from coin flips to decisions.

📅 May 2026 · 5 minRead →
💱 Finance Guide

Currency Converter Guide: Exchange Rates, Forex Fees & Best Rate Sources

How exchange rates are set, mid-market vs bank rate, hidden fees on cards and apps, best apps for live rates, and travel money tips for India.

📅 May 2026 · 8 minRead →
📈 Investment Guide

Compound Interest: Formula, FD vs SIP & The Power of Time

The compound interest formula, daily vs monthly vs annual compounding, FD interest calculation, how SIPs harness compounding, and the Rule of 72.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
🏦 Loan Guide

EMI Calculator Guide: Formula, Amortisation & How to Reduce Your EMI

The EMI formula step by step, how amortisation works, how prepayments save lakhs in interest, fixed vs floating rate, and the loan tenure trap.

📅 May 2026 · 10 minRead →
💰 Tipping Guide

Tip Calculator Guide: How Much to Tip in Every Situation (2026)

The tip formula, restaurant tipping by service quality, 12 service types, country-by-country breakdown, bill splitting, and India-specific customs.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
🎲 Tools Guide

Random Number Generator: True vs Pseudo Random Explained

How RNGs work, true random vs pseudorandom, why Math.random() is insecure, Fisher-Yates shuffle, picking giveaway winners, simulating dice.

📅 May 2026 · 8 minRead →
✦ Social Media Guide

Character Counter Guide: Platform Limits, Social Media & SEO (2026)

Limits for Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google Ads, SMS (GSM-7 vs Unicode), YouTube, email subject lines, and meta descriptions explained.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
🎂 Age Guide

How to Calculate Your Exact Age in Years, Months & Days

Manual calculation steps, leap year handling, school admission cutoffs by Indian state, UPSC/SSC age rules, and retirement age milestones.

📅 May 2026 · 9 minRead →
% Math Guide

How to Calculate Percentage: All 6 Formulas, Examples & GST

All 6 percentage formulas, GST slabs and reverse GST, CBSE exam marks, salary hike calculation, and the successive discounts trap.

📅 May 2026 · 10 minRead →
⚖️ Health Guide

BMI Calculator Guide: What Your BMI Really Means in India

BMI formula, WHO vs Indian ICMR standards, waist circumference cut-offs, BMI for children using IAP charts, limitations, and next steps.

📅 May 2026 · 10 minRead →
⚖️ Health Guide

BMI Chart India: ICMR Ranges, Healthy Weight by Height & Age

Complete Indian BMI chart by height and gender, ICMR thresholds vs WHO, BMI for children, and how to interpret your result correctly.

📅 May 2026 · 8 minRead →
🎓 Education Guide

CGPA to Percentage: Conversion Formula for CBSE, Anna University & VTU

CGPA to percentage formulas for each university, CBSE best-of-five rule, Anna University formula, VTU formula, and equivalence for job applications.

📅 May 2026 · 7 minRead →
🔧 Utility & Writing Guides — April 2026
🔒 Security Guide

How to Create a Strong Password in 2026 (And Actually Remember It)

NIST-updated guidelines, the passphrase method, 7 mistakes to avoid, and the best free password managers of 2026.

📅 Apr 2026 · 8 minRead →
📱 Beginner's Guide

What is a QR Code? Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

How QR codes work, how to scan and create them, static vs dynamic, and how to avoid quishing scams surging across India in 2026.

📅 Apr 2026 · 9 minRead →
📝 Content Guide

Word Count Requirements for Every Platform in 2026

Exact limits for Google SEO, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, email subject lines, Google Ads, and academic writing.

📅 Apr 2026 · 8 minRead →
🔤 Writing Guide

Title Case vs Sentence Case: When to Use Each (2026 Guide)

What AP, Chicago, MLA, APA, Google, Apple, and Microsoft style guides actually say — with a complete cheat sheet for every context.

📅 Apr 2026 · 7 minRead →
📄 Design Guide

How Web Designers Use Placeholder Text (And When to Stop)

The 6-stage design workflow, why Lorem Ipsum works, how to generate it in Figma, VS Code, and WordPress — and when it becomes a blocker.

📅 Apr 2026 · 8 minRead →
🛠 All 41 Free Tools on ToolLoom