Loan Calculator

Calculate your loan payments, total interest, and view amortization schedules. Perfect for personal loans, auto loans, mortgages, and more.

Loan Calculator

How to Use the Loan Calculator

  1. Enter Loan Amount: Input the total amount you want to borrow
  2. Set Interest Rate: Enter the annual interest rate as a percentage
  3. Choose Loan Term: Specify the loan duration in years or months
  4. Add Extra Payments: Optionally include additional monthly payments to see payoff acceleration
  5. Review Results: View monthly payment, total interest, and payoff timeline
  6. Check Schedule: Examine the first year's principal and interest breakdown

Examples and Use Cases

Common Loan Scenarios

Home Mortgage
$300,000 at 4.5% for 30 years
Monthly: $1,520
Auto Loan
$25,000 at 6% for 5 years
Monthly: $483
Personal Loan
$15,000 at 8% for 3 years
Monthly: $470

Extra Payment Benefits

$200,000 loan at 5% for 30 years
Without extra: $1,074/month
With $100 extra: $1,174/month
Saves 4.5 years + $37,000 interest
Early Payoff Strategy
Extra payments reduce total interest
More principal paid early = more savings

Understanding Your Loan Results

Key Terms

Monthly Payment

Fixed amount you'll pay each month including principal and interest

Total Interest

Total amount you'll pay in interest over the loan's lifetime

Amortization

The process of paying down loan principal over time through regular payments

Payment Breakdown

Early Payments

Initially, most of your payment goes toward interest

Later Payments

Over time, more payment goes toward principal as balance decreases

Extra Payments

Additional payments go directly to principal, reducing total interest

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the monthly payment calculated?

Monthly payments are calculated using the PMT formula, which considers the loan amount, interest rate, and term length to determine a fixed payment that pays off the loan completely.

What's the benefit of making extra payments?

Extra payments go directly toward the principal balance, reducing the total interest you'll pay and shortening your loan term. Even small extra payments can save thousands in interest.

Should I choose a shorter or longer loan term?

Shorter terms mean higher monthly payments but less total interest. Longer terms have lower monthly payments but more total interest. Choose based on your budget and financial goals.

How accurate are these calculations?

Our calculator uses standard financial formulas and provides accurate estimates. However, actual loan terms may include additional fees, insurance, or taxes not included in these calculations.

Can I use this for any type of loan?

Yes! This calculator works for personal loans, auto loans, mortgages, student loans, and any fixed-rate installment loan with regular payments.

What if my loan has a variable interest rate?

This calculator is designed for fixed-rate loans. For variable rates, use the current rate as an estimate, but remember your actual payments may change over time.