Loan Payment Calculator
Enter the amount borrowed, the annual interest rate and the term. You get the fixed monthly payment and a schedule showing how each payment splits between interest and principal.
Loan payment
The payment formula
M = P × i ÷ (1 − (1 + i)^−n)
- M
- monthly payment
- P
- amount borrowed
- i
- monthly interest rate = annual rate ÷ 12
- n
- number of monthly payments
If the rate is zero the payment is simply P ÷ n.
Worked example
25,000 at 7% for 5 years
- i = 0.07 ÷ 12 = 0.0058333
- n = 60
- M = 25,000 × 0.0058333 ÷ (1 − 1.0058333^−60) = 495.03
Payment 495.03 a month; total interest 4,701.82.
How amortization works
Each month, interest is charged on the remaining balance, and the rest of the payment reduces the balance. Early payments are therefore mostly interest and later ones mostly principal. The schedule above shows this split; the final payment may differ by a few cents because each month’s interest is rounded to the cent.
How the term changes the cost
| Term | Monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 869.88 | 438.62 |
| 24 months | 452.27 | 854.55 |
| 36 months | 313.36 | 1,281.13 |
| 48 months | 244.13 | 1,718.19 |
| 60 months | 202.76 | 2,165.92 |
| 72 months | 175.33 | 2,624.00 |
A longer term lowers the monthly payment but increases the total interest paid.
What this calculator leaves out
- Fees, points and charges — these are included in a lender’s legally disclosed APR, which is why it can be higher than the interest rate.
- Property tax, insurance and mortgage insurance that are often collected with a mortgage payment.
- Variable or adjustable rates, payment holidays and extra repayments.
- Day-count and payment-date details, which can move a lender’s figures by a few cents.