Personal Loan Calculator

Estimate monthly payments, total cost, and compare loan terms

Monthly Payment
$474
fixed for 36 months
Total Interest
$2,046
over 36 months
Total Cost
$17,346
principal + interest + fees
Effective APR
9.88%
incl. origination fee
Loan Details
$15,000
8.5%
%
36 mo (3.0 yr)
mo
2% ($300)
%
Monthly Breakdown
Principal (avg.)$417
Interest (avg.)$57
Monthly Payment$474
Loan Amount$15,000
Origination Fee$300
Total Interest$2,046
Total Cost of Loan$17,346
Compare Loan Terms
TermPaymentInterestTotal
24 mo$682$1,364$16,664
36 moCURRENT$474$2,046$17,346
60 mo$308$3,465$18,765
Balance Over Time
Remaining Balance
Principal Paid
Interest Paid
Amortization Schedule

Month-by-month payment breakdown

MonthPaymentPrincipalInterestBalance
1(Yr 1)$474$367$106$14,633
2(Yr 1)$474$370$104$14,263
3(Yr 1)$474$372$101$13,890
4(Yr 1)$474$375$98$13,515
5(Yr 1)$474$378$96$13,137
6(Yr 1)$474$380$93$12,757
7(Yr 1)$474$383$90$12,374
8(Yr 1)$474$386$88$11,988
9(Yr 1)$474$389$85$11,599
10(Yr 1)$474$391$82$11,208
11(Yr 1)$474$394$79$10,814
12(Yr 1)$474$397$77$10,417
13(Yr 2)$474$400$74$10,017
14(Yr 2)$474$403$71$9,615
15(Yr 2)$474$405$68$9,209
16(Yr 2)$474$408$65$8,801
17(Yr 2)$474$411$62$8,390
18(Yr 2)$474$414$59$7,976
19(Yr 2)$474$417$56$7,559
20(Yr 2)$474$420$54$7,139
21(Yr 2)$474$423$51$6,716
22(Yr 2)$474$426$48$6,290
23(Yr 2)$474$429$45$5,861
24(Yr 2)$474$432$42$5,429

How the Personal Loan Calculator works

This calculator computes the fixed monthly payment for a personal loan from the amount, APR, and term, and breaks the total cost into principal and interest. Use it to compare offers or to see what a different term does to affordability and total cost.

Personal loans are amortized: every payment covers that month's interest plus some principal, so the interest portion shrinks over time while the principal portion grows. A shorter term raises the payment but can cut total interest substantially.

The formula
M = P · r(1 + r)^n / ((1 + r)^n − 1)
  • M — fixed monthly payment
  • P — loan amount (principal)
  • r — monthly interest rate (APR ÷ 12)
  • n — number of monthly payments

Tips to get the most out of it

  • Compare loans by APR, which includes most fees, rather than the bare interest rate.
  • Origination fees are usually deducted upfront — borrow slightly more or budget for receiving less than the sticker amount.
  • Most personal loans have no prepayment penalty; paying extra shortens the loan and saves interest.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between interest rate and APR?

The interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal. APR adds required fees (like origination fees) and expresses the true annual cost, which makes it the better number for comparing offers side by side.

What personal loan rate can I expect?

Rates vary widely with credit score, income, and term — strong credit might see rates in the high single digits to low teens, while weaker credit can be quoted 20–35%. Prequalifying with several lenders uses soft credit pulls and won't hurt your score.

Is a shorter or longer term better?

A shorter term costs less overall but demands a higher payment. Pick the shortest term whose payment fits comfortably in your budget. If a lender offers no prepayment penalty, you can take the longer term for safety and pay it like the shorter one.

Can I pay a personal loan off early?

Usually yes, and most mainstream lenders don't charge prepayment penalties — but check the loan agreement. Early payoff saves the remaining scheduled interest, since interest only accrues on the outstanding balance.

From the Knowledge Base

APR vs Interest Rate: What a Personal Loan Really Costs

Two loans with the same interest rate can cost very different amounts. How APR, origination fees, and term length reveal a personal loan's true price.

Read the guide