Loan Calculator
Calculate your monthly loan payment, total interest paid, and total cost of borrowing. View a detailed amortization schedule showing how each payment is split between principal and interest over the life of your loan.
Fixed-rate loan calculation with full amortization breakdown
Calculate Your Loan Payment
The total amount you plan to borrow
The yearly interest rate on your loan
Duration of the loan
Choose years or months
How to Use This Loan Calculator
Enter Loan Details
Type your loan amount, annual interest rate, and loan term. Choose whether the term is in years or months.
Calculate Payment
Click the calculate button to see your monthly payment, total cost, and total interest over the life of the loan.
Review Amortization
Examine the amortization schedule to see how each payment is split between principal and interest. Toggle between yearly and monthly views.
How Loan Amortization Works
M = P * [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1]The amortization formula calculates the fixed monthly payment needed to fully repay a loan over a set number of periods at a fixed interest rate. Each payment covers the interest accrued on the remaining balance plus a portion that reduces the principal.
M = Monthly paymentP = Principal (loan amount)r = Monthly interest rate (annual rate / 12 / 100)n = Total number of monthly paymentsKey concepts in loan amortization:
- Early payments are mostly interest because the balance is highest at the start. As you pay down principal, more of each payment goes to principal.
- Shorter terms mean higher monthly payments but significantly less total interest. A 15-year loan typically saves tens of thousands in interest versus a 30-year loan.
- Extra payments applied to principal can dramatically reduce total interest and shorten the loan term. Even small additional amounts help.
- At 0% interest, the payment is simply the principal divided by the number of months, with no interest cost.
This calculator computes principal and interest (P&I) only. For mortgage loans, your actual payment may also include property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and PMI.
Quick Loan Reference Table
| Loan Amount | Rate | Term | Monthly | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000.00 | 6.5% | 3 yr | $306.49 | $1,033.64 |
| $25,000.00 | 5% | 5 yr | $471.78 | $3,306.85 |
| $50,000.00 | 7% | 7 yr | $754.63 | $13,389.26 |
| $150,000.00 | 6% | 15 yr | $1,265.79 | $77,841.34 |
| $200,000.00 | 6.5% | 30 yr | $1,264.14 | $255,088.98 |
| $300,000.00 | 7% | 30 yr | $1,995.91 | $418,526.69 |
| $400,000.00 | 6.5% | 30 yr | $2,528.27 | $510,177.95 |
| $500,000.00 | 6% | 30 yr | $2,997.75 | $579,190.95 |
Fixed-rate loans, principal and interest only
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the monthly loan payment calculated?
The monthly payment is calculated using the standard amortization formula: M = P * [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1], where P is the loan principal, r is the monthly interest rate (annual rate divided by 12), and n is the total number of monthly payments. This ensures each payment covers interest on the remaining balance plus a portion of the principal.
What is an amortization schedule?
An amortization schedule is a table showing each periodic payment on an amortizing loan. Each row breaks down how much of the payment goes toward interest and how much goes toward reducing the principal balance. Early payments are mostly interest, while later payments are mostly principal.
How does the interest rate affect my total loan cost?
Even a small difference in interest rate can significantly affect total cost. For example, on a $200,000 loan over 30 years, a 1% increase in rate (from 6% to 7%) adds roughly $48,000 in total interest over the life of the loan. Always compare rates from multiple lenders to minimize your borrowing cost.
What is the difference between loan term in years vs months?
They are simply different ways to express the same duration. A 30-year mortgage is the same as a 360-month mortgage. Shorter terms mean higher monthly payments but less total interest paid. Longer terms lower monthly payments but increase the total interest cost.
Does this calculator include taxes and insurance?
No, this calculator shows principal and interest (P&I) only. Your actual monthly payment for a mortgage may also include property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and private mortgage insurance (PMI). These additional costs are often collected together in an escrow payment. Use a dedicated mortgage calculator for a full PITI breakdown.
Authoritative sources
- CFPB — What is negative amortization?
The regulator definition behind this page: amortization means paying off a loan with regular payments so the amount you owe goes down with each payment. Our schedule only ever amortizes downward because the payment always exceeds the interest accrued.
- Federal Reserve Board — A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Refinancings
Backs the claim that early payments are mostly interest: the share of each payment credited to principal rises every year while the share credited to interest falls. That is exactly the split shown in the amortization table.
- CFPB — Understand the different kinds of loans available
Backs the loan-term trade-off stated above the table: a shorter term carries higher monthly payments but a lower total cost, which is why a 15-year run of this calculator beats a 30-year run on total interest.
- CFPB — What is the difference between a mortgage interest rate and an APR?
The rate you type into this calculator is the interest rate, not the APR. APR additionally includes points, broker fees and other charges, so it is usually higher than the figure used here.
- CFPB — What is an escrow or impound account?
Backs the principal-and-interest-only caveat: property taxes and homeowners insurance are normally collected through an escrow account funded by a separate portion of the monthly mortgage payment.
- CFPB — What is private mortgage insurance?
Backs the PMI exclusion noted in the results and disclaimer: PMI is typically required on a conventional loan with a down payment under 20 percent and is charged on top of principal and interest.
Important Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results assume a fixed interest rate and do not include taxes, insurance, PMI, closing costs, or fees. Actual loan terms, rates, and payments may differ based on your credit profile, lender, and loan type. Consult a qualified financial professional or lender for specific loan advice.
Published by Kalcify · Last updated
Calculators are built against primary sources — government tax authorities (IRS, HMRC, CRA, ATO) for finance and the World Health Organization for health metrics. Updated when rates or rules change. View methodology and data sources.
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