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Personal Loan Calculator

Calculate a personal loan payment and see how APR, term, origination fees, and extra payments change the cost.

Reviewed byJulian Germanfor EveryCalcMethodology

Scheduled monthly payment

$337

Payoff time with extra payment

5 yr

Interest and fees

$5,698

Net cash after fee

$14,550

How the math works

The payment uses the standard fixed-rate installment loan formula. Origination fees are shown separately because they can reduce the cash you actually receive even when the full balance must be repaid.

Extra payments are applied after the scheduled payment and reduce the modeled payoff time and interest cost.

Editorial noteReviewed by Julian German - Updated August 2026

EveryCalc calculators are designed for fast, practical estimates with transparent inputs and no required account. We use plain formulas, visible assumptions, and related tools so visitors can check the result from more than one angle.

Results are informational only. For financial, tax, legal, medical, construction, or other high-impact decisions, verify the output against primary sources or a qualified professional.

Learn more about our review process on the EveryCalc methodology page.

Calculation notes and example

Personal-loan payment, fee, and payoff model

Scheduled payment uses the fixed-rate amortization formula from loan amount, APR divided by 12, and term in months. Entered extra payment is added in a month-by-month payoff loop, producing modeled payoff months and interest. Origination fee equals loan amount multiplied by fee percentage. Net cash received assumes the fee is withheld from proceeds, while total interest and fees adds that fee to interest. The scheduled payment displayed does not include the optional extra amount.

Proceeds versus repayment example

A $15,000 loan at 12.5% for 60 months has a scheduled payment of about $337. A 3% origination fee is $450, so modeled net proceeds are $14,550 even though payments are calculated on the full $15,000. Adding $75 per month shortens payoff and reduces interest, but the contractual payment remains the scheduled amount shown.

Compare the actual offer structure

  • Confirm whether the fee is withheld, financed, or paid separately; this calculator models a fee withheld from proceeds.
  • APR and note rate can differ when fees are included. Enter the rate requested by the field and compare the lender's disclosed APR separately.
  • Check prepayment terms before assuming extra payments are applied immediately without a charge or payment-advance treatment.

Useful companion tools: Debt Consolidation Calculator, Debt Payoff Calculator, Credit Card Payoff Calculator, and APR Calculator.

How to interpret the personal loan result

Best use

Use the result as a planning number for comparing payments, rates, returns, tax reserves, or cash-flow choices before you request a quote or make a commitment.

Cross-check

Compare the answer with the contract, lender estimate, tax form, brokerage statement, payroll record, or invoice that will control the real-world outcome.

Watch for

Do not rely on a single optimistic rate, return, or fee assumption. Money pages work best when you run low, base, and high cases and keep professional advice separate from the estimate.

This page belongs to the Finance calculator library, so the answer should be read in the context of the decision you are modeling rather than as a universal rule.

Before relying on this personal loan estimate

Most calculator mistakes come from the inputs, not the arithmetic. Use this short audit before you reuse the answer in a spreadsheet, quote, application, or important conversation.

Confirm source numbers

Match balances, rates, fees, taxes, income, and payment dates against the lender quote, payroll record, tax form, statement, invoice, or contract.

Separate cash flow from total cost

A lower monthly payment can still cost more over time if fees, interest, taxes, or a longer term are hidden in the structure.

Run conservative cases

Test at least one higher-cost or lower-return case before using the output for a purchase, refinance, investment, loan, or tax decision.

Rerun this page when the rate, price, term, fee, tax rule, income, expense, or expected holding period changes.

Sources used for this calculator

These primary or official references help define the rules, terminology, safety checks, or source documents behind this estimate. Source links were checked in July 2026. They do not turn the calculator output into a quote, appraisal, tax determination, or professional opinion.

  • What is a personal installment loan?

    Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

    Explains fixed installment payments, loan terms, pricing factors, and why fees belong in an offer comparison.

How to Use

  1. Enter the personal loan amount you want to borrow.
  2. Add the APR and repayment term from the lender offer.
  3. Include any origination fee so net cash received is visible.
  4. Add an optional extra payment to test faster payoff.
  5. Compare monthly payment, payoff time, interest, fees, and cash received across offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a personal loan payment calculated?

For a fixed-rate personal loan, payment is based on loan amount, monthly interest rate, and number of payments. Each payment covers interest first and then reduces principal.

Why does the origination fee matter?

Some lenders deduct the origination fee from the funds sent to you while you still repay the full loan balance. That can make the real cost higher than the stated payment suggests.

Should I choose the lowest monthly payment?

Not always. A longer term can lower the payment but increase total interest. Compare both monthly affordability and total interest before choosing.

Can I use this for debt consolidation?

Yes. Use it to model the new loan, then compare the payment and interest cost against your current credit card or installment debt payoff plan.

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