Fixed-rate loan comparison
Personal loan cost and APR estimate
Estimate personal loan payments, upfront-fee cost, total paid, and a simplified fee-adjusted annualized rate across terms.
Compare modeled monthly payments and scheduled cost for a fixed-rate personal installment loan. Use written offer terms when available. This tool does not estimate approval, predict your rate, or recommend borrowing.
Enter the principal, fixed rate, fee, and at least one repayment term.
The estimate uses equal monthly payments, a constant rate, monthly interest at the entered annual interest rate ÷ 12, and payments at month-end. The fee is treated as paid upfront (whether invoiced separately or withheld from proceeds), so estimated net proceeds equal principal minus fee. The fee-adjusted annualized cash-flow rate is an educational estimate, not the lender's disclosed APR under the Truth in Lending Act. Other fees, insurance, late charges, taxes, exact payment timing, and lender-specific rounding are excluded. Compare the lender's written disclosures.
Compare the full offer
A longer term usually spreads repayment over more months. Compare both the payment and the full amount scheduled, including fees. The CFPB explains that an interest rate measures borrowing cost while APR also reflects certain loan fees; APR can help compare offers, but it does not replace reviewing terms and total cost. This tool estimates a simplified fee-adjusted annualized rate from monthly cash flows and does not reproduce the legally disclosed APR calculation. Check each lender's APR, amount financed, finance charge, total of payments, and fee treatment in the written disclosure. CFPB personal-loan fee guidance was last reviewed August 30, 2024; APR guidance checked November 3, 2026.
- CFPB: What is a personal installment loan?
- CFPB: Do personal installment loans have fees?
- CFPB: How an interest rate differs from APR (checked November 3, 2026)
For existing card balances, compare your current repayment plan with the balance-transfer cost calculator or review the balance transfer vs. consolidation guide. This is general education, not personalized financial advice.
How it works
Enter a principal, fixed annual interest rate, upfront origination fee, and up to three terms to compare modeled payments, total paid, and a simplified fee-adjusted annualized cash-flow rate.
Good to know
Does this predict approval or the rate a lender will offer?
No. Rates and terms depend on the lender and borrower information. Use written offers and disclosures; this calculator does not estimate eligibility or recommend a loan.
How are payments, fees, and the estimated rate modeled?
The calculator uses fixed annual interest divided by 12 and equal month-end payments on the entered principal. It treats the origination fee as an upfront cost, so net proceeds are principal minus fee. A monthly internal-rate-of-return estimate is annualized by multiplying by 12. This is a simplified educational estimate, not the lender's TILA APR; other fees, exact timing, and lender-specific rounding are excluded.
How should I compare the estimate with an offer?
The CFPB says APR reflects the interest rate plus certain loan fees, while the interest rate itself does not include fees. Compare disclosed APRs for offers with comparable terms, then also review amount financed, finance charge, total of payments, upfront and ongoing fees, and payment schedule in each written disclosure. CFPB personal-loan fee guidance was last reviewed August 30, 2024; APR guidance checked November 3, 2026.
LendingTree — TODO: apply/approval and configure referral URL — referral link not configured.
Bankrate — TODO: apply/approval and configure referral URL — referral link not configured.
NerdWallet — TODO: apply/approval and configure referral URL — referral link not configured.