Personal Loan Calculator

Calculate monthly personal loan payments, total interest, and effective APR including origination fees.

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Term Unit

Monthly Payment

$322.67

Total Interest

$1,616.19

Effective APR

11.39%

Loan Details

Loan Amount$10,000.00
Origination Fee$200.00
Amount Received$9,800.00
Term36 months
Monthly Payment$322.67
Total Interest$1,616.19
Total Cost (with fees)$11,816.19
Effective APR11.39%
Payoff DateMay 2029

Use the Personal Loan Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Our Personal Loan Calculator helps you understand the true cost of borrowing in 2026. Input your desired loan amount, interest rate, and term to instantly see your estimated monthly payments, the total interest you'll pay over the loan's lifetime, and the effective Annual Percentage Rate (APR) factoring in any origination fees. This comprehensive view empowers you to compare loan offers accurately and make informed financial decisions.

The calculator utilizes standard amortization formulas to determine monthly payments, and a more complex iterative approach to calculate the effective APR. For the monthly payment, we use M = P [ i(1 + i)^n ] / [ (1 + i)^n – 1], where M is the monthly payment, P is the principal loan amount, i is the monthly interest rate, and n is the total number of payments. To find the effective APR, we solve for the rate that equates the present value of all loan payments (including the origination fee deducted from the principal received) to the actual amount disbursed to the borrower.

Remember that the APR is the most crucial figure for comparing loans, as it includes all mandatory costs. Be aware that some lenders might offer exceptionally low advertised rates but then hit you with high origination fees, which this calculator will expose in the effective APR. Always confirm if the advertised rate is fixed or variable, as variable rates can fluctuate and impact your future payments.

Example: Funding a 2026 Home Renovation

  1. 1 You're considering a $25,000 personal loan for a home renovation, offered at an 8.5% annual interest rate over 60 months (5 years), with a 2% origination fee.
  2. 2 Using the calculator, you input: Loan Amount = $25,000, Interest Rate = 8.5%, Loan Term = 60 months, Origination Fee = 2%. The calculator then processes these figures.
  3. 3 The calculator reveals an estimated monthly payment of $513.59, total interest paid of $5,815.40, and an effective APR of 9.38%.
  4. 4 This means while the stated rate is 8.5%, the 2% origination fee effectively increases your annual cost to 9.38%. Knowing this allows you to accurately compare it against other financing options, such as a home equity line of credit that might have a different fee structure.

Source: CFPB — Consumer Tools · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for a personal loan?
Most lenders require a minimum score of 580-620, but the best rates go to borrowers with scores above 720. Some online lenders accept scores as low as 560 with higher interest rates.
What is an origination fee on a personal loan?
An origination fee is a one-time charge (typically 1-8% of the loan amount) deducted from your loan proceeds at disbursement. A $10,000 loan with a 5% origination fee means you receive only $9,500 but repay the full $10,000.
Are personal loans better than credit cards for debt?
Usually yes. Personal loans typically have lower interest rates (7-15%) than credit cards (20-30%), fixed monthly payments, and a set payoff date. They are ideal for consolidating high-interest credit card debt.