Loan Payment Calculator

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Loan Summary

Monthly Payment
Total Payments
Total Interest

Amortization Schedule (first 12 months)

MonthPaymentPrincipalInterestBalance

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the loan amount, interest rate, and loan term. The calculator shows your monthly payment, total interest cost, and a full amortization schedule showing how each payment is split between principal and interest.

Understanding Loan Amortization

Amortization is the process of spreading out a loan into a series of fixed payments over time. Early in the loan term, a larger portion of each payment goes toward interest. As the principal balance decreases, more of each payment goes toward the principal. This is why making extra early payments can significantly reduce total interest costs.

Typical Interest Rates by Loan Type

Loan TypeTypical APR RangeTypical Term
Personal Loan6% – 36%1 – 7 years
Auto Loan (New)5% – 10%3 – 7 years
Auto Loan (Used)6% – 15%3 – 6 years
Student Loan (Federal)5.5% – 8.1%10 – 30 years
Student Loan (Private)4% – 14%5 – 20 years
Debt Consolidation6% – 25%2 – 7 years

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an amortization schedule?

An amortization schedule is a table showing each loan payment over time, broken down into principal and interest portions. It shows how much of your payment goes toward the actual loan balance versus interest charges, and what your remaining balance is after each payment.

How can I reduce the total interest I pay?

You can reduce total interest by: making extra payments toward the principal, choosing a shorter loan term (higher payments but less interest), securing a lower interest rate, or refinancing when rates drop.

What's the difference between a loan calculator and a mortgage calculator?

A mortgage calculator typically includes property taxes, insurance, and PMI in addition to principal and interest. A general loan calculator focuses on the loan itself — principal, interest rate, and term — and works for any type of installment loan.

Does this calculator show the effect of extra payments?

Not yet. The current version shows the standard amortization schedule. A future update will include a feature to calculate the impact of extra principal payments on total interest and loan term.