Loan Calculator

A loan calculator helps you estimate monthly payments and total interest for a fixed-rate loan. It is useful for comparing offers, understanding affordability, and planning your payoff timeline. Whether you are evaluating a personal loan, auto loan, or another amortized product, the same basic math applies: principal, interest rate, and term determine the payment.

This calculator gives you a monthly payment estimate and a rough sense of total interest over the life of the loan. It assumes a fixed rate and standard amortization, which is common for installment loans. If your loan has a variable rate, balloon payment, or special fee structure, the actual cost may differ. Use the result for planning and comparisons rather than exact pricing.

You can use the tool to answer questions like: What monthly payment fits my budget? How much interest do I pay if I choose a 3-year term instead of 5 years? What happens if I increase the loan amount or negotiate a lower rate? By testing a few scenarios, you can see the trade-offs between monthly payment and total interest.

Remember that monthly payment is only one part of the decision. If a lower payment comes from a longer term, it may cost more overall. A shorter term can increase the monthly payment but reduce total interest. Use the calculator to explore these trade-offs before you commit.

How it works

The calculator uses the standard amortized loan formula for monthly payments:

Payment = P × r × (1 + r)^n / ((1 + r)^n − 1)

Where: - P is the loan amount - r is the monthly interest rate (annual rate / 12) - n is the number of monthly payments (years × 12)

The calculation assumes a fixed rate and equal monthly payments. It does not include fees, insurance products, or penalties. If your loan has upfront fees, your effective APR could be higher.

Examples

Example: Personal loan - Loan amount: $12,000 - Interest rate: 9.5% - Term: 4 years

Steps: 1. Monthly rate = 9.5% / 12 = 0.7917% 2. Number of payments = 4 × 12 = 48 3. Estimated monthly payment ≈ $303 4. Total paid ≈ $14,544, total interest ≈ $2,544

FAQ

Common questions

Does this include fees?

No. Fees increase the effective cost and should be considered separately.

Can I use this for auto loans?

Yes. It works for standard fixed-rate auto loans.

Why is my payment different from the lender?

Lenders may include fees, add-ons, or different compounding conventions.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

This calculator provides educational estimates only and should not be considered financial advice.

Related calculators

APR Calculator (Estimate)

Understand the difference between APR and interest rate and estimate APR using fees, term and interest.

Open APR Calculator (Estimate)

Compound Interest Calculator

Calculate compound growth with monthly contributions. See how rate, time and contributions affect your future value.

Open Compound Interest Calculator

Mortgage Payment Calculator

Calculate monthly mortgage payments and understand how principal, interest rate and term affect your payment. Includes a step-by-step example.

Open Mortgage Payment Calculator

Savings Calculator

Plan savings goals and estimate how long it takes to reach a target with regular contributions and an optional interest rate.

Open Savings Calculator

Age Calculator

Calculate your age in years, months, and days.

Open Age Calculator

BMI Calculator

Calculate your BMI with kilograms and centimeters.

Open BMI Calculator

Sponsored

Developer utilities

Need quick developer tools? Jump over to Utilio.

Learn more

Practical guides and explanations related to this calculator.

APR vs Interest Rate: What’s the Difference?

APR reflects the full borrowing cost including fees, while the interest rate is the base cost of the loan. This guide explains both with a …

Read the guide

How to Calculate Loan Interest (With Examples)

Understand how loan interest works with a clear formula, a worked USD example, and a quick method to estimate total interest over time. Inc…

Read the guide

How to Calculate a Mortgage Payment (Step-by-Step)

A step-by-step guide to mortgage payments: the formula, the inputs that matter, and a worked USD example you can copy to sanity-check your …

Read the guide