Loan Calculator

Calculate monthly payments, total interest, and total cost of a loan

$0
Monthly Payment

About the Loan Calculator

This loan calculator computes your monthly payment, total interest paid, and overall cost for any loan. Whether you are financing a car, home, or personal expense, knowing your payment helps you budget effectively. This versatile calculator works for any type of amortizing loan, from personal loans to auto financing. By adjusting the loan amount, rate, and term, you can compare different borrowing scenarios and find the option that best fits your budget.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the total loan amount you wish to borrow.
  2. Input the annual interest rate and loan term in years.
  3. Click Calculate to see your monthly payment and total interest costs.

The Formula

The calculator applies the standard amortizing loan payment formula to determine fixed monthly payments.

M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between APR and interest rate?

The interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal, while APR includes fees and other costs, giving a more complete picture of loan expenses.

How does loan term affect my payments?

A longer loan term reduces your monthly payment but increases total interest. A shorter term saves interest but requires higher monthly payments.

What types of loans can this calculator handle?

This calculator works for any fixed-rate amortizing loan including personal loans, auto loans, student loans, debt consolidation loans, and mortgage loans. It does not handle adjustable-rate or interest-only products.

How does loan term length affect total cost?

Shorter loan terms have higher monthly payments but significantly lower total interest. Longer terms reduce monthly payments but increase the total cost of borrowing substantially.

What is the difference between simple and amortizing interest?

Simple interest is calculated only on the principal balance, while amortizing interest recalculates each month on the remaining balance. Most installment loans use amortizing interest.

Should I choose a shorter or longer loan term?

Choose a shorter term if you can afford higher payments and want to minimize interest. Choose a longer term if you need lower monthly payments to fit your budget.

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