Loan Calculator
Work out your monthly payment, total interest, and total repayment on any fixed-rate loan.
How this calculator works
This uses the same amortization formula banks use for personal, auto, and business loans. See also the Amortization Calculator and Student Loan Calculator.
M = monthly payment · P = loan amount · i = monthly interest rate · n = number of months
How loan term affects total cost
A longer term lowers your monthly payment but increases total interest. A shorter term raises the monthly payment but reduces total interest significantly.
Origination fees and APR — the real cost of a loan
Many personal, business, and some auto loans charge an origination fee — typically 1–10% of the loan amount — deducted from your proceeds before the money reaches you. This is the single biggest reason two loans with the same "interest rate" can cost very differently.
- Example: a 20,000 loan with a 5% origination fee only puts 19,000 in your account, but you still repay the full 20,000 plus interest. Your effective APR is higher than the stated rate.
- Rule of thumb: if you need a specific amount in hand, borrow enough to cover the fee — divide your target amount by (1 minus the fee percentage).
- Prepayment penalties are separate from origination fees and appear in the loan agreement, not this calculator. Some lenders charge for paying off early; most personal loans do not, but always check before assuming.
This calculator uses the loan amount and rate as entered — if your lender quotes an APR that already bundles fees, enter that APR directly for the most accurate monthly payment.
A worked example
A $20,000 loan at 7.5% costs about $401/month over 60 months with roughly $4,050 in total interest, versus about $626/month over 36 months with about $2,530 in interest.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between APR and interest rate?
The interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal. APR usually includes additional fees.
Does paying extra each month reduce total interest?
Yes — extra payments go toward principal and can shorten the loan term.
How does an origination fee affect my loan payment?
The fee is usually deducted from your loan proceeds up front, not added to your monthly payment — so you receive less cash than the loan amount, but still repay the full amount plus interest. This raises your effective APR above the stated interest rate.
Is there a penalty for paying off a loan early?
It depends on the lender and loan type. Most personal loans have no prepayment penalty, but some auto, business, and specialty loans do. Check your loan agreement — this calculator assumes no penalty.