Personal Loan Calculator

Calculate your monthly personal loan payment, total interest, and amortization schedule, including origination fees.

Rates as of Q2 2025 (example)

$
%
0.1 36
months
6 84
%
0 10
$
Result
Total interest
Total cost of loan

Payment breakdown

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Amortization schedule

Period Date Payment Principal Interest Balance

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For educational purposes only. Consult a financial advisor.

What is a Personal Loan Calculator?

A personal loan calculator estimates your monthly payment, total interest, and net amount received for an unsecured personal loan, accounting for an origination fee that many lenders deduct from the loan amount before disbursing funds. It also lets you model extra monthly payments to see how much faster you could pay off the loan and how much interest you could save.

How to Use This Personal Loan Calculator

  1. Enter the loan amount you're requesting.
  2. Enter the interest rate — the default is an example only, so enter the actual APR offered by your lender, as personal loan rates vary widely based on creditworthiness.
  3. Enter the loan term in months.
  4. Enter an origination fee percentage if your lender charges one — this is typically deducted from the loan amount before you receive the funds, so your net proceeds will be less than the loan amount.
  5. Optionally add an extra monthly payment to see how much time and interest you could save, then enter a start date and review your monthly payment, amortization schedule, and total cost.

How are Personal Loan Payments Calculated?

The monthly payment uses the standard loan amortization formula, while net proceeds account for any origination fee deducted upfront.

Formula: Monthly Payment = [P × r(1+r)n] / [(1+r)n − 1], where P is the loan amount, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of months. Origination Fee = Loan Amount × Fee %. Net Proceeds = Loan Amount − Origination Fee.

Example: For a $15,000 personal loan at an 11% interest rate (example rate — enter your actual rate) over 36 months with a 3% origination fee (example — check your lender's fee), the monthly payment would be roughly $491, the origination fee would be $450, and net proceeds (what you actually receive) would be roughly $14,550. (Note: all figures in this example are for illustration purposes only and do not represent your actual loan terms.)

Personal Loans in the US

Personal loans are typically unsecured, meaning they don't require collateral like a house or car, which generally means higher interest rates than secured loans but a faster, simpler application process. Common uses include debt consolidation, home improvement projects, medical expenses, and major purchases. Rates depend heavily on your credit score, income, and the lender — rates as of Q2 2025 (example) ranged widely from single digits for excellent credit to over 30% APR for borrowers with lower credit scores. Origination fees, when charged, are typically deducted from the loan proceeds upfront, so the amount you actually receive is less than the loan amount, even though you repay interest on the full loan amount (example fee used in this calculator — check your specific lender's terms).

Tips for Using This Personal Loan Calculator

  • Pay attention to net proceeds, not just the loan amount — if there's an origination fee, you'll receive less money than you're borrowing, but you'll repay interest on the full loan amount.
  • Shop around — personal loan rates and origination fees vary significantly between lenders for the same credit profile, so comparing offers can meaningfully reduce your total cost.
  • Use the extra monthly payment field to see how even a modest additional payment can shorten your loan term and reduce total interest paid.
  • Check whether your loan has a prepayment penalty before making extra payments — most personal loans don't, but it's worth confirming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an origination fee?

An origination fee is a one-time fee charged by some lenders to process a loan, typically a percentage of the loan amount. It's usually deducted from the loan proceeds before you receive the funds, but you still repay interest based on the full loan amount.

Is the 11% interest rate accurate for my situation?

No — the default is an example only. Personal loan interest rates vary significantly based on your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, and the lender. Enter the actual rate quoted to you for an accurate calculation.

Why is my net amount received less than the loan amount?

If your lender charges an origination fee, that fee is typically deducted from the loan amount before disbursement. For example, on a $15,000 loan with a 3% origination fee, you'd receive about $14,550, but you'd repay interest based on the full $15,000.

Are personal loans secured or unsecured?

Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning they don't require collateral like a house or car. This generally makes them faster to obtain but typically results in higher interest rates than secured loans, since the lender takes on more risk.

How does making extra payments affect my loan?

Extra monthly payments go directly toward reducing your principal balance, which reduces the interest charged in future months. This can significantly shorten your loan term and reduce total interest paid, as shown in the "time saved" and "interest saved" results when you enter an extra payment amount.

Will I be charged a penalty for paying off my personal loan early?

Most personal loans in the US don't have prepayment penalties, but it's not universal — check your loan agreement or ask your lender before making extra payments to confirm there's no penalty for early payoff.

Disclaimer: The information, rates, fees, and figures provided on this page are for educational and illustrative purposes only. All rates and examples shown are sample values and do not reflect the actual rate, fees, or terms offered by any specific lender. Financial rules and lending terms change frequently. Always consult your lender or a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.